About the Library

Mission Statement

Collins Memorial Library is a key intellectual resource and a leader in information technology for the University of Puget Sound. More than a collection or a building, our services are designed to support students, faculty and staff in their efforts to develop the skills and strengths needed to pursue intellectual challenges and success in a changing world. To this end we emphasize:

• Collaborating with faculty to provide opportunities for students to identify their personal information needs, to locate desired information in a variety of formats, and to critically evaluate the information found

• Assisting users in understanding the applications, strengths, and weaknesses of varied information delivery systems

• Facilitating maximum access with minimal delay to information

• Providing and designing easy access to an array of ideas and information available through world-wide resources

• Selecting and maintaining a core collection of literature and materials important to an undergraduate education in the liberal arts and to graduate education in occupational and physical therapy and education

Librarians and staff alike will continue to evaluate and review services for effectiveness and to apply technology when possible to improve service.

Department Mission Statements

Access Services Mission:
Access Services assist users in accessing and obtaining materials from the library's collection and from collections outside the library. These services include circulation of materials and patron record maintenance, course reserves, management of library materials through shelving and shelf maintenance, interlibrary loan/document delivery, consortia borrowing and lending programs, and access to the university archives. It is our goal to provide courteous, efficient service and timely delivery of materials. We strive to ensure that our policies and procedures provide equitable treatment and privacy for our users and allow maximum access to the collection.

Acquisitions Unit Mission
The Acquisitions Department will provide thorough and personal service to the campus community. Our goals are to order, receive and display all materials without delay, promote open communication between our departments, face each challenge with a positive approach, and continually seek out and implement new avenues to support these goals.

Cataloging Unit Mission
Facilitating maximum access to all library materials with minimal delay by providing accurate/timely cataloging and consistent and timely processing, and by maintaining an accurate, value-added access electronic catalog.

Collection Development Mission
The purpose of Collins Memorial Library's Collection Development Policy is twofold:

• To serve as a guide for liaison librarians and faculty in selecting, maintaining, and deselecting materials.
• To inform university faculty, administration, students and others of the library's policies in developing and maintaining its collections.

Interlibrary Loan Mission:
The University of Puget Sound Library Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery service assists in supporting the information and research needs of the students, faculty, and staff by borrowing or purchasing materials, which are not available from within the library. In pursuing this goal, we direct our efforts toward:

• Achieving fast and efficient service at minimal cost to our users
• Utilizing advances in technology to improve access and delivery of requested documents
• Maintaining positive, reciprocal relationships with other libraries to facilitate the borrowing and lending processes
• Continually evaluating and modifying the program for effectiveness, and in response to the changing needs of our users

Learning Commons Mission
The Learning Commons is a focal point on campus for student research and learning. It is an active learning environment within the library

• where students are able to research, experiment, collaborate and create.
• where access to resources is facilitated by an integration of advanced technology and personalized service.
• where diverse needs and learning styles are accommodated.
• where resources are utilized with an awareness and consideration of environmental sustainability.

Reference Services Mission
The mission of Collins Library Reference Service is to provide research guidance, access and understanding of the world of information and ideas, in support of teaching and learning at the University of Puget Sound. This mission is pursued through the following goals:

• Provide personalized, accurate and thorough research assistance for the University community.
• Emphasize instruction, information literacy and critical thinking skills in all reference sessions.
• Facilitate access and delivery of print and digital information.
• Develop a relevant reference collection and service that meet the research needs of the University.
• Treat the informational needs of all users with respect and confidentiality, in accordance with the American Library Association's "Code of Ethics."

Technical Services Mission
Technical Services promotes the educational mission of the university by providing operational management of library materials. We espouse the following ideals:

• Cost effectiveness
• Timeliness
• Access accuracy
•  Open communication

University Archives Mission
The University Archives serves as a resource center for the study of the history of the University of Puget Sound. In pursuing this mission, it will

• Collect, organize, preserve, and describe records of permanent administrative and historical value for the purpose of documenting the history of the university, its administrative and academic units, and the activities of its faculty, students, and alumni;
• Provide facilities for the retention, preservation and research use of such record;
• Provide information services to assist university administration and other users of the University Archives, and;
• Serve in a public relations capacity by promoting knowledge and understanding of the origins, aims, programs, and goals of the university.

History

Collins Library 50th Anniversary