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We place value on many things in our lives—at different times, and under different circumstances. The academic library supports research and intellectual thought for people at many stages of life. Libraries typically focus on three core areas of need: space, resources, and teaching.
Space is critically important to a person's sense of structure. Whether at home, work, or play, humans connect to their environments as a foundation for managing themselves, their interests, and their ambitions. Having spaces dedicated to academic pursuits and reflection adds meaningful value to intellectual development.
Resources—and the thoughtful curation of those resources—are essential to supporting the academic mission. Ensuring that students, staff, and faculty have access to appropriate, relevant references is central to the creation of new knowledge. This is no small task, as many academic resources are tied to commercial, for-profit models. Open access resources and free information are also carefully evaluated and managed by information professionals to ensure accuracy and credibility.
Finally, and just as importantly, are the information professionals who provide the teaching and instructional support that bring true value to these services. Spaces and resources alone are not enough—they require human guidance and expertise to help users navigate and engage meaningfully with campus offerings and achieve academic success.
The value of an academic library can take many forms and means something different to each individual. As we begin another semester, we thank you for your support in helping us deliver that value.
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