Savery Library Mission Statement

The mission of Savery Library is to provide students, faculty and staff with the resources and opportunities to support the mission and goals of Talladega College by selecting, acquiring and maintaining materials in all formats. Exemplary leadership in accessing, using, and evaluating the library's program is a commitment strongly valued for maintaining a quality academic support unity for all patrons.

Unifying Principles

In our interactions with students:

• We believe the students should be treated with professionalism and respect.
• We believe the library should be accessible to everyone.
• We believe the library should provide an environment conducive to learning and productive work.
• We believe in promoting library literacy.
• We believe in the use of plain, simple language.

In our interactions with colleagues:

• We will endeavor to apply the above principles.
• We will endeavor to understand each other's work and recognize each other's areas of expertise.
• We will endeavor to foster a team approach to meeting the
• challenges of our work.
• We will endeavor to operate under the principles of consensual decision making.

The Library addresses diversity in 4 interrelated contexts:

1. the workplace environment
2. the library environment
3. the learning environment
4. the cultural and social environment

The workplace environment

We value and promote diversity amongst coworkers, which encourages creativity, debate, innovation, and organizational progress. To accomplish these goals, we encourage diverse hiring and promotion, and foster respectful and participatory communication and collaboration.

The library environment

We value and promote diversity as a library and as library professionals. To accomplish these goals, we encourage and promote:

• access to information services
• variety and scope of material and services
• flexibility and adaptability of materials and services
• elimination of technical, administrative and system barriers
• reflection and promotion of multiple viewpoints, world views and perspectives in the library's collections and services.

The learning environment

We value and promote diversity among all library users, including students, faculty, staff, and community members. To accomplish these goals, we actively use methods and practices that emphasize a flexible and empathetic approach to each library user.

The cultural and social environment

We value and promote diverse lifelong learning and information literacy as pathways to an informed community. We value and promote cultural awareness and social responsibility as pathways to fostering an appreciation of a diverse world. To accomplish these goals, we actively use methods and practices that foster a diverse view of the world and its cultural and social environments.

Bill of Rights

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
5. A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Adopted June 18, 1948.
Amended February 2 1961, June 27 1967, and January 23 1980, by the ALA Council.

Code of Ethics

The statement which follows sets forth the ethical obligations of individuals as Savery Library staff members.

1. To maintain the principles of the ALA Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement.
2. To maintain the principles of the Savery Library mission statement and unifying principles.
3. To understand and execute the policies of the college and library, and to express in a positive manner any concern or objection with the policies, philosophy or programs of these institutions.
4. To maintain an objective and open attitude of understanding, courtesy, and concern for the patrons' needs.
5. To protect the essential confidential relationship which exists between a library user and the library.
6. To serve all patrons equally according to their needs.
7. To make the resources and services of the library known and easily accessible to all current and potential users.
8. To avoid any possibility of personal financial gain at the expense of the employing institution.
9. To be aware of the obligations of employment and of what constitutes abuse of working conditions and benefits.
10. To acknowledge the importance of the work done by all staff in all divisions of the Library.
11. To maintain a sense of loyalty, respect, and cooperation in our relationships with fellow staff members.
12. To carry out assignments so that fellow staff members need not assume added responsibilities, except in times of emergency.
13. To share knowledge, experience, and expertise with others.
14. To use the resources of the library and college in an efficient and economical manner, consistent with the best service to the library user.
15. To use care and discretion to distinguish between private actions and speech, and those actions and speech which are taken in the name of the institution. This policy should be interpreted as consistent with the rights of an individual to take part in public debate, and to engage in social or political activity.

Code of Conduct

Savery Library serves the Talladega College community by providing an atmosphere conducive to research and study. In order to accomplish this, all Savery Library students, faculty, staff and community users are expected to abide by the rules established by the college. An extension of these ideals is reflected in this Code of Conduct. Individuals or groups who engage in an unacceptable and/or disruptive behavior may be asked to leave the building. If necessary, campus police will be contacted. The library staff is concerned about the safety of our patrons. Please contact a staff member if you need any assistance. Examples of unacceptable behavior and/or disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to:

• Creating a disturbance or behaving in a manner which interferes with normal use of the library (including rowdiness, noise, and offensive interpersonal behavior).
• Refusing to leave the building in a timely fashion at closing or remaining in the library building when requested to leave during emergency situations or drills.
• Being in an unauthorized area of a library building or being in the library building during hours it is not open to the public.
• Disruptive use of cell phones or other electronic devices in the library building.
• Verbal abuse; verbal assault or threat to do bodily harm; engaging in any form of mental or physical harassment.
• Fighting or otherwise acting in a disorderly manner.
• Acting as if under the influence of alcohol or drugs or engaging in any type of substance abuse.
• Damaging, defacing, stealing or misusing library materials, equipment, and property.
• Violating college and library rules regarding computer use.
• Stalking library staff and patrons.
• Violating rules concerning food, beverages, and tobacco products.
• Posting notices or leaving unsolicited materials anywhere other than designated bulletin boards.
• Failure to follow library circulation policies and procedures.
• Concealing library materials in the library for the exclusive use of an individual or group.
• Possessing a weapon or hazardous substance.
• Tampering with emergency mechanisms (fire alarms, opening emergency exits except in emergency situations).
• Engaging in sexual activity.
• Use of skateboards, inline skates or similar devices inside the library building.
• Bringing animals in the library unless they are certified assistance animals.
• Bringing bicycles into the library building.
• Violating the Code of Student Conduct.