Vision Statement
The Frederick E. Berry Library is the hub of intellectual exploration, knowledge creation, and community engagement at Salem State. The Library provides high quality, nimble, and innovative services in a welcoming, comfortable, and vibrant physical environment that encourages diversity, excellence, and continued growth.
Mission Statement
Berry Library advances academic excellence and empowers student success at Salem State University by providing informed expertise and teaching the effective use and critical evaluation of information and archival resources. Through a commitment to developing a broad range of collections and partnerships, we facilitate access to information and preserving local and regional history that promotes lifelong learning for students, faculty, staff, and the public we serve.
Six Core Values
- Collaboration: Through collaboration and teamwork, we create programs and services that advance learning and scholarship. By proactively identifying opportunities with our faculty, campus leaders, students, and members of our local community, we deliver better service, value, and outcomes for the users of Berry Library.
- Openness & Access: Openness and access are foundational concepts for Berry Library. We champion accessibility in all forms, from freely available digitized facsimiles of 19th-century material to onsite accessible/assistive technology.
- Diversity and Equity: Berry Library strives to create an inclusive and welcoming environment. We promote diversity and equity through access and in our approaches to developing collections, hiring staff, and creating programs for both Salem State and our local communities.
- Information Literacy & Critical Thinking: In an age of controversy and contested truth, the role of libraries as champions of informed inquiry is more important than ever. By teaching students skills that enable them to search for information effectively, develop their critical perspectives, and participate in civil discourse, we build modes of thinking essential to student success and civic engagement.
- Lifelong Learning: Berry Library supports lifelong learning by providing access to formal and informal learning opportunities for the whole SSU community and beyond. This will enable lifelong development of knowledge, skills, and abilities for career enhancement, academic success, and personal fulfillment.
- Student-Centered Education: Berry Library focuses on the needs of students, listening carefully to their concerns and perspectives. Helping students succeed in their educational pursuits is our primary goal. We create spaces where students can thrive as independent researchers and scholars. We empower students to seek their own best outcomes.
