Fontbonne University Archives

The Jack C. Taylor Library aspires to be acknowledged as one of the nation’s premier Catholic university libraries, supporting the education of leaders to serve a world in need.  We will:

• Be known for providing liberal and professional resources that promote life-long learning and that enable students to see themselves as part of a diverse and changing world.
• Develop information literacy programs and educational opportunities that reflect high standards, interdisciplinary thought and integrated understanding.
• Select, organize, and preserve high-quality, diverse collections to support the curriculum and develop citizen leaders.
• Empower the members of the Fontbonne University community to use information resources creatively, analytically, and critically in order to act ethically and responsibly as citizens and leaders.

The Jack C. Taylor Library affirms its identity as a Catholic university library, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  The Library supports teaching and learning, through the grace of God, sharing a variety of religious beliefs and united in a commitment to educational excellence, diversity of ideas, and personal concern.

The permeating and universal nature of Catholicism gives rise to the mission and vision of the university and its library.  Because Fontbonne is Catholic, we embrace openness and inclusiveness. Because Fontbonne is Catholic, we pursue educational excellence.  And because Fontbonne is Catholic, we seek to recognize the presence of God in all creation and to participate in the continuing transformation of ourselves and a world in need.

The Jack C. Taylor Library continues the heritage of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet by fostering the values of quality, respect, diversity, community, justice, service, faith, and Catholic presence.

Quality:  The library is committed to providing access to high quality resources and services.

Respect:  The library treats all patrons with respect and personal concern.

Diversity:  Library collections reveal a diversity of ideas and viewpoints, with an adherence to the principles of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read statements.

Community:  The library maintains a position at the center of the Fontbonne community, providing meeting spaces, promoting communication, and participating in service opportunities.

Justice:  The library maintains a fair and equitable distribution of scarce resources among the varied competing demands on campus.

Service:  The library strives to serve the Fontbonne campus community, the larger communities of Clayton, St. Louis, and Missouri, and the library profession.

Faith:  Members of the library staff express their respective faiths in their dedication and commitment to the importance and future value of their service at Fontbonne.

Catholic presence:  The library enhances and promotes Fontbonne’s Catholic identity through participation in workshops and events emphasizing the mission and heritage of the institution.

In keeping with these values, the Library makes available the widest possible diversity of views and expressions, including those which are unorthodox or unpopular.

The Jack C. Taylor Library is dedicated to the discovery, understanding, preservation, and dissemination of information and ideas. The Library provides an atmosphere characterized by a commitment to open communication, personal concern and diversity. Library collections and services help students learn to think critically, to act ethically, and to assume responsibility as citizens and leaders.

The Jack C. Taylor Library is committed to:

• Supporting academic and educational excellence
• Facilitating historical remembrance, critical reflection and moral resolve
  
• Encouraging dialog and creative exchange among diverse ideas and viewpoints
  
• Demonstrating care and respect for each member of the community
  
• Serving the larger community
  
• Preparing individuals to be an ethical and responsible presence in the world