Cole Library Mission Statement

It is the mission of Cole Library and the Center for Teaching and Learning to engage students in exploring ideas. We foster in students the skills and dispositions to access, evaluate, use, and communicate information to solve problems, make decisions, and generate new knowledge. In pursuit of this mission, we

  • embrace the aims of Cornell College
  • collaborate with teaching faculty
  • contribute to Cornell’s high standards for academic performance
  • uphold a service ethic
  • organize resources systematically
  • manage operations to support public service, e.g., circulation, acquisitions, inter-library loan
  • strive to become a model of excellence among small colleges
  • support the College community

In service to the Mount Vernon Community, it is the mission of the Russell D. Cole Library to foster and support citizens' exploration of ideas and use of information. In pursuit of this mission, we

  • provide access to resources for information and recreation;
  • organize resources systematically;
  • create a welcoming and orderly environment;
  • enrich the lives of citizens through educational programs for children and adults;
  • cooperate with local schools in providing resources for their students;
  • uphold a service ethic; and
  • manage operations to support public service, e.g., circulation, acquisitions, inter-library loan.