"Write a Mission Statement" report by Minneapolis Public Library Director Ron Brubaker, August 2008

This CE Project of "Write a Mission Statement" had as its genesis another project I was working on for the Minneapolis Public Library. The Policy Manual of the Minneapolis Library was a thing of "shreds and patches." While the printed copy was one finished document, in the computer it was a series of saved sections. During the process of collating and synthesizing the document, I discovered there was duplication, disharmony and one glaring omission. The Manual contained no mission statement. This fact was brought before the Library Board during a meeting. Board President Dennis Harris, Board member Sandy Shields, and myself were tasked with the project of creating a mission statement.

Prior to the committee's first meeting I downloaded the project II-A-1 (001) "Write a Mission Statement" and the readings for the project. At the first committee meeting reading assignments were parceled out. Dennis Harris read the Swan materials, Sandy Shields read the Wallace materials, and I read the Tiny URL sections. A general discussion of "What is our Library?' was held. Among the ideas brought forward was that our library is in the Information business, print and online. We are in the entertainment business (i.e., books and movies). The Library is a place of social gathering. This is both casual and formal. Friends and neighbors meet at the library and business groups such as the Lions Club meet at the Library. Our Library is a place of Culture. Culture is everywhere in the library. Culture is in the art books, culture is in the literature, and most important culture is in the people (ages, ethnically, education, and socioeconomically). No attempt was made at writing a Mission Statement during this meeting.

At the second meeting of the Mission Statement Committee several ideas were presented for a mission statement. They were both rejected as being too lengthy. They were:

The Mission of the Minneapolis Public Library is to collect, preserve and make available Library materials in printed and electronic media to serve the educational, informational, recreational, cultural, and leisure needs of people of all ages. The Minneapolis Public Library is committed to supporting a lifelong enjoyment of reading and learning.

The Mission of the Minneapolis Public Library is to provide materials for community residents of all ages for personal enrichment, enjoyment and educational need. The library is dedicated to providing access to all forms of media. Programs will be developed and conducted to simulate interest and appreciation of reading for both children and adults.

After some discussion and review of the reading materials, a modification and revision of the second mission statement was made resulting in the following, which was accepted to be brought before the full Library Board for review:

The Mission of the Minneapolis Public Library is to provide people of all ages with access to a balanced collection of books and other resources to enhance their educational, cultural, and recreational needs.

All three versions were presented before the full Library Board with the final version with our recommendation being accepted. The version now appears in our Policy Manual.