Olsen (2016a; 2016b) outlines practical considerations for how to structure an effective mission and vision statement. These are useful to help evaluate the strength of the Lake Tuggeranong College (LTC) Library statements below.
Vision statement: Our library impacts every learner, every day, every year.
Olsen (2016b) claims that a vision statement should be future-focused, outlining where the organisation is going and why. Her checklist for a strong vision statement is that it should be: directed forward about 5+ years, contain future-tense verbs (we will, we envision), be directional (where are we going), be audacious (include bold statements) and descriptive (expand on ideas to paint a picture).
The LTC Library vision statement includes present, rather than future tense verbs – so does not project into the future. It is more a statement about what the library does, rather than what it hopes to do. The statement does include audacious claims (every learner, every day, every year), but does not expand into any descriptive claims as to how the library impacts – is it through innovation, collaboration, inquiry etc.?
Mission statement: Our library equips and supports our College community to learn, thrive and connect today and tomorrow.
Olsen (2016a) outlines that a mission statement should answer the claim, why do we exist? It explains what the organisation does, for whom and what is the benefit. Her checklist for a strong vision statement is that it should be: original, foundational (sustains over time), connect with staff (identifying their purpose), is memorable (short and concise), and the litmus test… it should be able to fit on a t-shirt that would be proudly worn by staff!
The LTC Library mission statement is both original, foundational and memorable in nature. It identifies the whom that is benefiting (the College community) and uses present tense verbs to articulate what the organisation does. However, the mission statement can be refined for improvement as I feel there is ambiguity in its claim: connect today and tomorrow. What does this mean? Is it about connecting today with tomorrow? Is connection about people or technology? Is the statement missing punctuation “and connect, today and tomorrow”. If this is the case, then it becomes more a future projection, which is more so characteristic of a vision statement.
References
Olsen, E. [Virtualstrategist]. (2016a, November 2). How to write a mission statement [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xs4I349cdc
Olsen, E. [Virtualstrategist]. (2016b, November 11). How to write a vision statement [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yBUBmciQBk