Cornell University Library Instruction, Research, and Information Services

IRIS Values

Vision

To bring individuals and information together.

Mission

IRIS is a vital component in the Library's goal of maintaining its place as the primary information resource for Cornell University. New programs and initiatives will not come at the expense of essential services, and all will be treated as valued functions.

Values for Users

The primary focus of IRIS is on users, and its goal is the provision of high quality content, expanded access, responsive services, and learning opportunities.

IRIS strives to provide responsive service and accurate information for our users, at their time and place of need, whenever possible.

IRIS actively promotes information literacy (research and evaluation skills) for our users.

IRIS supports and facilitates user self-reliance.

IRIS seeks to be a full partner in the educational and research process, anticipating and adopting technology advances and changing behaviors in research, teaching, learning, and information seeking.

Values for Staff

IRIS staff collaborates with all of CUL, with compatible institutions and organizations beyond the University, and affirms the CUL mission.

Staff are encouraged to experiment and innovate.

Staff and administration promote our services effectively to users.

IRIS works to ensure that the Library's collections continue to keep pace with the demands of research and are maintained in usable condition for future users.

Values for Administration

IRIS administration maintains flexibility in programs, staffing, space, collaborations, and administrative structure.

IRIS encourages staff to develop new competencies and apply them to the tasks at hand.

IRIS involves all staff, as appropriate, in analyzing tasks and investigating alternative ways of doing things.

IRIS administration ensures that staff are well informed about the nature and progress of change and that they have opportunities to make their views known.

The administration ensures greater parity and more centralized support across IRIS and promotes the use of new technologies to produce streamlined and less redundant operations.