Strategic Plan
Mission
The Chester Fritz Library connects ideas and the people of the University of North Dakota, the state, and region through impactful services, distinctive collections, and experiential learning.
Vision
As a preeminent research library, the Chester Fritz Library inspires curiosity, discovery, and innovation to transform lives locally and globally in the UND community, North Dakota, and beyond through extraordinary access to knowledge, professional expertise, and the tools to apply learning.
Guiding Principles
The Chester Fritz Library (CFL), UND Art Collections, and affiliated special libraries are guided by the five core values of the University of North Dakota – Learning, Equity, Affinity, Discovery, and Service. These values are the foundation of UND LEADS, UND’s strategic vision.
At UND, we are driven by a deep commitment to curiosity, creativity, and the pursuit of knowledge that crosses disciplinary boundaries. As North Dakota’s flagship research institution, we champion critical thinking, intellectual risk-taking, and academic freedom, which are vital to meaningful inquiry and transformative scholarship.
Libraries are essential partners in this effort. We are responsive to the needs of the university community through intentional decisions and support for all individuals, units, and spaces, whether we interact in physical or virtual environments. Through robust collections, expert support, and dynamic infrastructure, we empower researchers, creators, and students to push the boundaries of knowledge, foster innovation, and engage with communities at local, regional, and global levels. We are dedicated to removing barriers to access, supporting purposeful research, and cultivating an inclusive environment.
Learning
Encourage a lifelong sense of wonder by providing educational experiences essential for living intellectually curious, personally fulfilling, and socially responsible lives. —UND LEADS
Libraries are partners in learning. We support the people of UND, the state, and beyond as they pursue workforce skills, academic success, research, and lifelong learning.
- Build a premiere experiential learning program, by offering opportunities for students to build skills, professors to enrich their teaching, and members of the community to experiment with a broad range of tools.
- Meet students where they are by developing and promoting workshops and consultation services that help them build the capacity to learn so they can succeed both in their education and throughout their lives.
- Welcome people from all walks of life to use and enjoy the libraries and our collections for the enrichment of their lives and communities.
Equity
Enhance pathways to higher education and establish supportive learning structures that help all people realize their full potential. Embrace the evolving diversity of perspectives, peoples, and ideas as a core strength. —UND LEADS
Libraries seek to provide equitable instruction and access to tools, technology, and information resources from a broad range of perspectives.
- Foster student success by engaging and supporting all students.
- Champion comprehensive accessibility throughout our services and spaces.
- Promote a collaborative and supportive environment.
- Support colleagues through consideration of disciplinary differences in resources that impact their research and teaching.
Affinity
Foster a sense of belonging and a campus culture that celebrates the unique ways we connect and contribute to UND. —UND LEADS
As a central hub for campus, we connect people through spaces and experiences. We value the whole person, recognizing that libraries contribute to success in career and life.
- Enhance and expand the library’s environment to better support a broad range of user needs.
- Cultivate a safe, welcoming, and holistic environment or anyone who engages with the libraries and our collections.
- Increase partnerships with campus departments, student organizations, the greater Grand Forks community, and beyond.
- Create experiences that connect people.
Discovery
Advance research, creative activity, and scholarship through our spirit of inquiry and our desire to better understand the world around us. —UND LEADS
We actively support and showcase the diversity of scholarship across UND, highlighting not only the outcomes of research and creative work but also the collaborative spirit behind it. By investing in responsive services and technologies that reflect the evolving nature of scholarly discovery, we will contribute to the development of ethical and sustainable solutions to pressing problems.
- Enhance research capacity and services by expanding library expertise and services to meet the evolving research needs of faculty, students, and staff.
- Strengthen scholarly communication infrastructure by growing our support for diverse modes of knowledge creation and sharing through enhanced scholarly communication services.
- Advance open and sustainable technologies by increasing the use of open-source, community-supported technologies.
- Enrich digital discovery and visibility by improving access to and discovery of unique collections and resources.
- Equip the UND community for emerging research landscapes by preparing students, faculty, and staff to navigate the evolving information and technology landscape.
Service
Engage in collaborations that serve the evolving needs of our people, tribal nations, the state of North Dakota, and our global community. —UND LEADS
Proactive and knowledgeable personnel anticipate evolving needs which result in services and resources that elevate impact in the workplace, in our cultural and artistic institutions, and in quality of life.
- Establish and strengthen partnerships in our communities and proactively seek out opportunities to engage stakeholders.
- Develop and implement consistent messaging to promote our value for the campus, community, state, and region as aligned with institutional priorities.
- Update our roles and expertise as service needs evolve.