The University of British Columbia

A Place For Teaching And Learning

The Education Library's Role Statement

To advance the academic and research mission of the University of British Columbia, the Education Library strives to provide outstanding access to the universe of recorded knowledge and information in the field of education. The Library serves a large and varied clientele; first the students, faculty, and staff at UBC, and second, communities, libraries and individuals throughout British Columbia and Canada. The Education Library's specialized role is to support the academic and research mission of the Faculty of Education. Librarians and staff will strive to do the following.

Develop Client Centred Services for Research and Teaching

Central to an effective teaching and research environment are friendly and knowledgeable staff with a sustained commitment to continuous improvement of information services and programs. Advisory committees, focus groups, performance measures and other strategies will aid in determining client needs. The overall purpose is to facilitate the best use of information technologies to advance scholarship, teaching and learning at UBC. Convenience to clients, cost effectiveness and coordination with the Faculty of Education and other departments on campus will be a priority.

Build a Carefully Selected Multimedia Collection

The Education Library's collection and information services serve as a foundation for scholarship and research in the field of education. Our mission is to link faculty and students to the very best information resources available and to provide electronic access to specialized BC and Canadian education resources. A high priority is placed on materials that reflect Canadian content and approaches and upon exemplary curriculum materials in the widest variety of multimedia formats. Access to a wide range of electronic resources must be ensured. The Education Library plays an important role in the collection and preservation of historical materials about and used in BC education.

Collaboratively Plan and Teach With Faculty

Information and information literacy are central to the university's academic and research mission. Collaborative planning and teaching with faculty ensures that a library program emerges that is directly linked to the academic and scholarly needs of faculty and students. The overriding goals of the library's instructional program are to develop those competencies necessary to use changing information technologies and to develop an awareness of the world of information. An ongoing library program assists scholars and contributes to the creation of an information environment that fosters the creation and dissemination of scholarly research.

Meet the Needs of a Unique and Changing Faculty

A basic requirement for the Education library is to keep abreast of current research and scholarship to advance the mission of a professional faculty of education. As faculty activities, practices and programs change, the needs of students create new demands for library services and resources. The ways we organize our support for academic work and research will balance teaching prerogatives and research priorities. As information and computing services converge, formal collaboration among those responsible for the delivery of such services will be a priority.

Maintain Close Liaison With Scholarly and Professional Constituencies

The Education Library develops links with the broader educational and library community in British Columbia, Canada and the world. Close liaison with ministries of education, faculties of education, education libraries, district resource centers, teachers' and specialist associations, school districts, schools and learned societies foster professional communication and sharing information about educational issues, policies and technologies. Equally important, the Education Library strives to maintain close liaison with computing and information providers and agencies so that the best possible access to information is available for students and faculty. July, 1996.