2026-2027
Introduction
The Kelvin Smith Library strategic framework was developed collaboratively taking into consideration the input of KSL’s staff, users, partners, and affiliates, a review and comparison of the previous strategic plan, peer benchmarks, and current library trends. The framework will be reviewed throughout the year to note progress with a deeper review in June of each year to determine if our goals are still in alignment with the university's priorities and to make adjustments as needed.
Our Vision, Mission, and Values
Our Vision:
Kelvin Smith Library provides expert guidance, resources, and innovative spaces that inspire and enable research, teaching, and learning. Through strategic partnerships we empower the CWRU community to create and share knowledge that transforms the world.
Our Mission:
KSL is the Knowledge and Creativity Commons of Case Western Reserve University. We strive to:
- Develop specialized and distinctive collections and resources in all formats
- Offer equitable access to collections, resources, spaces, and tools for the CWRU and broader community
- Provide innovative technology and tools for exploration, research, and development
- Preserve knowledge and the university’s and the community’s intellectual and cultural heritage
- Accelerate scholarship through the increase in open resources and evolving research frameworks
- Instruction on emerging technology, research, and information and digital literacies
- Create engaging programs and exhibitions to encourage and inspire learning, discovery and dialogue
- Cultivate an environment of empathy, collaboration, and respect and foster a positive and productive community for CWRU and beyond
We Value:
- Teaching, learning, and scholarship that fosters intellectual inquiry, exploration, growth, and continuous discovery
- Collection, stewardship and preservation of the cultural, historical, and intellectual record
- Outreach, connectivity, and partnership to expand our knowledge and services
- Empathy, collaboration, and respect to cultivate an environment and culture where staff and library users feel welcomed, heard, empowered, and valued
- User-centered collections, services, space, programming, and systems that meet the needs of the CWRU and broader community
- Experimentation, risk-taking and continuous learning for innovation, growth, and adaptability
- Open scholarship to foster transparency and reusability
- Ethics and integrity as noted in the guidelines and principles of ethics our professions
Professional Guidelines & Principles: