The mission of the Queens Library is to provide quality services, resources, and lifelong learning opportunities through books and a variety of other formats to meet the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs and interests of its diverse and changing population.

The Library is a forum for all points of view and adheres to the principles of intellectual freedom as expressed in the Library Bill of Rights formulated by the American Library Association.

Adopted January 1991

Vision

The Queens Library represents a fundamental public good in our democracy. It assures the right, the privilege and the ability of individuals to choose and pursue any direction of thought, study or action they wish.

The Library provides the capital necessary for us to understand the past and plan for the future. It is also our collective memory, since history and human experience are best preserved in writing.

As Queens Library enters its second century, it will be universally recognized as the most dynamic public library in the nation. This recognition will arise from: the Library's dedication to the needs of its diverse communities; its advocacy and support of appropriate technology; the excellence of its collections; the commitment of its staff to its customers and the very highest ideals of library service.

We at Queens Library believe deeply in equity and that libraries are fundamental in empowering people to take charge of their lives, their governments and their communities. In this way, Queens Library has an essential role to play in the new millennium. The collections we build, the access we provide and the technologies we embrace will carry the people of Queens into a productive and creative future. Please join the Library in this quest.

Values

Service

We believe that library and information service is essential to a learning society because information and knowledge are indispensable to the development of human potential, the advancement of civilization, and the continuance of enlightened self-government.

Customers

We believe that meeting the needs of our diverse customer base is first and foremost.

Quality

We value the importance of providing rapid and comprehensive access to knowledge and information and strive to constantly improve the services we provide to our customers.

Technology

We believe the Queens Library must be an active partner in the development and implementation of technology to ensure that access to knowledge and information will be equitably available to all.

Individuality

We respect the individuality and integrity of each customer and each employee, and foster an environment in which creativity, productivity and individual responsibility are encouraged, recognized and rewarded.

Teamwork

We believe that each individual is a member of the team, working together to serve our customers.

Strategic Directions

Queens Library has identified the following four strategic directions, which will carry it into the next century of service: