Library Mission StatementLibrary Mission Statement
The mission of the Siena College Library is interwoven with the educational mission of the College. The central role of the Library is to enhance the educational process by providing resources and instructional services in support of the curricular and research needs of students and faculty. The Library’s collections reflect current and emerging academic programs as well as a commitment to general education in the liberal arts tradition. The Library’s services contribute to the student’s education in two ways. First, the Library fosters development of critical reading, information gathering and research skills through its teaching program. Second, the Library expands the quantity and quality of educational resources available as supplements to classroom instruction. A related and important Library responsibility is to create a stimulating and supportive environment for the research and teaching activities of the faculty. The Library’s services and resources underscore the College’s commitment to encourage the development of the well-educated person. Scholarly inquiry, pursuit of the truth, appreciation of cultural and intellectual diversity, written and oral communication, critical thinking – all are inextricably connected to and dependent upon the Library’s serving as an active agent in the educational process. Access to information and ideas presented in written, audio, visual and electronic formats and concomitant development of skills to access, interpret and evaluate those materials are pivotal to the development of the learned individual. As students appreciate the breadth and depth of library resources and services available at Siena, they will become aware that throughout their lifetimes, libraries and self-education of many types contribute to their intellectual, spiritual, ethical and social development. This appreciation is an essential ingredient of a Franciscan liberal arts education. June 2007 |
