Models and Examples- Mission Statements

A sampling of mission statements from libraries that promote lifelong learning, adult literacy, and provide expanded programs and services for diverse patron populations.

Columbus Metropolitan Library, Ohio

At Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML), our mission is "to promote reading and guide learning in the pursuit of information, knowledge, and wisdom.”

Hialeah Public Library, Florida

By providing the means by which people of all ages, interests, nationalities, and circumstances may avail themselves of recorded wisdom, experience and ideas of others, the City of Hialeah Library Division promotes the education, recreation and information needs of its community, and contributes to its culture.

Miami-Dade Public Library, Florida

The library mission is to maintain and improve public library services reflecting the informational, educational, and recreational needs of our diverse community.

Mount Prospect Public Library, Illinois

The mission of the Mount Prospect Public Library is to provide diverse services and resources to meet the informational, educational, recreational and lifelong learning needs of the Mount Prospect community.

Queens Library, New York City

The mission of the Queens Library is to provide quality services, resources, and lifelong learning opportunities through books and a variety of other formats to meet the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs and interests of its diverse and changing population . . .

Vision
The Queens Library represents a fundamental public good in our democracy. It assures the right, the privilege and the ability of individuals to choose and pursue any direction of thought, study or action they wish . . .

We at Queens Library believe deeply in equity and that libraries are fundamental in empowering people to take charge of their lives, their governments and their communities.

Seattle Public Library, Washington

Our mission is to become the best public library in the world by being so tuned in to the people we serve and so supportive of each other’s efforts that we are able to provide highly responsive service. We strive to inform, enrich and empower every person in our community by creating and promoting easy access to a vast array of ideas and information, and by supporting an informed citizenry, lifelong learning and love of reading. We acquire organize and provide books and other relevant materials; ensure access to information sources throughout the nation and around the world; serve our public with expert and caring assistance; and reach out to all members of our community.


This toolkit offers:


A brief primer on the origins of library literacy services to immigrant populations throughout a century of service.


An introductory guide to delivering and supporting literacy services for immigrants @ your library.


Models and examples of literacy services for adult English language learners from libraries across the country.

The American Dream Starts @ your library is an initiative of the American Library Association.
This initiative is generously funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation