MHLS - Sample Mission Statements

The Howland Public Library provides materials and services to help community residents obtain information meeting their personal, educational and professional needs. Special emphasis is placed on supplying adults with current reading materials; on providing reference services to students (at all academic levels) and other information seekers; and on making facilities available for local individuals, organizations and agencies to do community work. The library serves as a learning and activities center for all residents of the Beacon School District.

The Mission of the Beekman Library shall be to assure effective, expanding, free library service for the community of Beekman and to lead citizens in anticipating their future needs for library services. It shall also be the aim of the Library to educate the public regarding library standards.

It is the mission of The Alice Curtis Desmond and Hamilton Fish Library to provide access to the world of social and cultural ideas to the community by offering a wide variety of materials and programs. The Library has a special mission to young children and their parents to encourage a love of reading and learning. The Library is committed to preserving the integrity of the collections of the Curtis Desmond and Fish families.

The mission of the Germantown Library is to maintain and improve the quality of life for all citizens of our community by providing resources that enhance and contribute to individual knowledge, enlightenment, and enjoyment in the most efficient manner possible. We especially recognize our responsibility to serve as a place for children to discover the joy of reading and the value of libraries.

The mission of the Hillsdale Public Library is to provide materials and services for community residents of all ages for personal enrichment, enjoyment and educational needs. The library is dedicated to providing practical access to all forms of media. The educational needs of elementary and secondary students will be supported and programs developed to stimulate children’s interests and appreciation for reading and learning.

The function of the Kent Public Library is to provide the people of its community, from pre-school through maturity, with access to a balanced collection of books and other materials which will serve their educational, cultural and recreational needs.

The Kinderhook Memorial Library's mission is to give access to ideas in various media. This is to be done during convenient hours and in pleasant surroundings. The library hopes to satisfy its members recreational and practical interests by the use of both traditional and emerging technologies. Its reference and other collections are to be kept up to date and will include works that are classics of their kind. The Library's missioin most of all is to serve and be responvsive to the needs of the community.

Poughkeepsie Public Library District:
Vision Statement
The Poughkeepsie Public Library District will have vibrant libraries where people want to be. It will meet the needs of a diverse and growing constituency by providing services and partnering with other community organizations. The Board of Trustees and the staff will work together to serve the public and to respond to the changing nature of library services.

Mission Statement
The Poughkeepsie Public Library District provides a wide variety of materials and services to patrons of all ages. To fulfill this mission, the Library District has two roles: that of provider and that of partner.

The provider roles of the Library District are to provide:
·         circulating collections of current high-demand, high-interest materials in a variety of formats
·         collections representing a broad spectrum of knowledge on a variety of subjects and in a variety of formats
·         reference services providing timely and accurate information in a variety of formats with access from diverse locations
·         programs and services for all ages that encourage reading, learning, and cultural enrichment

The partner roles of the Library District are:
·         to coordinate with the Mid-Hudson Library System, New York State, and Dutchess County the provision of central reference library and County Reference Center services to MHLS member libraries and the general public
·         to coordinate the development of collections, programs, and services in local history and genealogy with other pertinent organizations
·         to cooperate with other agencies and governments in providing relevant community information
·         to facilitate the provision of formal and independent education support, including information literacy training, through outreach and other means

The mission statement is reviewed periodically by the Board of Trustees of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District.

The mission of the West Hurley Public Library is to collect, preserve, and make available library materials in print and in electronic formats to serve the recreational, informational, educational, and leisure needs of the chartered community. The West Hurley Public Library is committed to supporting a lifelong enjoyment of reading and learning.

The Windham Public Library provides materials and services to help community residents obtain information meeting their personal, educational, cultural and professional needs. Special emphasis is placed on supporting students at all academic levels and on stimulating young children’s interest and appreciation for reading and learning. The library serves as a learning and educational center for all residents of the community. The Windham Public Library is dedicated to making the Town of Windham a rewarding, attractive and pleasant place in which to live, visit and work.

The Woodstock Public Library District has two primary missions:
1.To facilitate learning and self-education for the community.
2.To encourage young children to develop an ongoing interest in reading and learning.

The mission of the Evanston Public Library is to promote the development of independent, self-confident, and literate citizens through the provision of open access to cultural, intellectual, and informational resources.
-Evanston Public Library, 703 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201, http://www.epl.org:80/library/library.html

It is the mission of the Guilderland Public Library to select, acquire, organize and preserve books and other materials of contemporary interest and permanent value for the education, enjoyment and intellectual stimulation of the entire community. The Library strives also to guide young people toward a love of reading and an awareness of books and other library materials as a means of satisfying their needs and interests.
-Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Avenue, Guilderland, NY 12084, http://family.knick.net/guildlib/

The Redwood City Public Library is the learning center of our community and the place people turn to for the discovery of ideas, the joy of reading and the power of information. Community needs drive our services and we take a personal interest in ensuring that they are delivered in a welcoming, convenient and responsive manner.
-Redwood City Public Library, 1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA 94063, http://www.redwoodcity.org/library/rcpl.html

The San Bruno Public Library provides materials and services of popular interest to the community, emphasizing and encouraging reading by children, supplementing the educational needs of the community, and furnishing timely, accurate information. Our mission statement is anchored by the following assumptions:

The mission of the Holmes County District Public Library is to design and provide services which will fill the community's need to know, understand, manage and enjoy the world with freedom of thought, thereby improving the quality of life for its residents. Vision Statement: The Holmes County District Public Library seeks to become an essential part of the life of county residents by promoting an enriched, informed and connected community. Values Statements: The Holmes County District Public Library believes in:

* Equal Access for All
* Quality Service
* Intellectual Freedom
* Remaining Competitive

last updated: September 2005
For more information contact Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Coordinator of Member Information

Public Library Mission Statements