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Vision Statements

The Libraries' Vision Statement was written in 1990 by the library faculty.  Additionally, in the fall 2000 presentation to the Advisory Council for University Libraries the slide describing "A Great Destination for Learning and Research" also surfaced as a possible vision.


Definition:

A vision statement:

1. Allows organizational members to know what is expected of them, without constant managerial oversight
 

John M. Bryson, Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations:  A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement, rev. ed. (San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass, 1995), 21-44.
 

2. Possesses potent orienting capacities. It can play a key role in providing a connecting to a sense of purpose and meaning greater than oneself and can serve as a beacon of inspiration during times of change and disruption
 

Ira M. Levin, "Vision Revisited," The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science 36 (2000):  92.

Evaluation Criteria:

A vision statement should be:

1. Future oriented

2. Compelling

3. Bold

4. Aspiring

5. Inspiring

To be effective, a vision statement must be believable and achievable. A vision statement is always written in the present tense.

Ira M. Levin, "Vision Revisited," The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science 36 (2000):  92.