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Located in Chatham, Illinois

Mission, Vision, and Value Statements

Mission Statement

We inspire, inform and engage our community by connecting people, information and ideas.

Vision Statement

We aspire to be the center of community life where all come to discover, learn, and connect.

Values Statement

Librarianship is guided by core values including those expressed in the American Library Association Core Values of Librarianship Statement, the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement, and the American Library Association Code of Ethics. These values include access, confidentiality and privacy, democracy, diversity, education and lifelong learning, intellectual freedom, service, and social responsibility.

We affirm these professional values and are guided by five core organizational values. These values are vital to our organization because they shape our identity, make clear how our work is directed, and they include the following:

Learning

We believe that learning is a human right and to live and thrive in an ever-changing world, people require supportive learning environments and access to information from diverse points of view.

Curiosity

We believe that curiosity and discovery can positively alter a life’s path and thus encourage the exploration of ideas and viewpoints. 

Connection

We believe that the Library is a place for both quiet reflection and collaborative activity. It is comfortable, inclusive, and supports communities in being strong and healthy through the development of relationships between people and ideas. 

Belonging

We believe that when people feel they belong; they are able to grow. The Library brings people together to access knowledge and build connections. We actively work to ensure that all people see themselves and the diversity of the Library District’s constituency reflected in the Library and its resources.

Stewardship

We believe in being trustworthy and accountable. We are good stewards of taxpayer dollars. We embrace transparency and engage in all endeavors with honesty and integrity. 

ADOPTED:        July 17, 2000

AMENDED:         October 18, 2021