Northern Illinois University Libraries

**Our Mission** To empower and enrich the diverse university community and region by offering innovative services, curated collections, dynamic spaces, and cutting-edge technologies—all aimed at fostering scholarly, artistic, and career success. **Our Values** **Collaboration** **Creativity** **Curiosity** **Integrity** **Kindness** **Service** **Overview** NIU Libraries are committed to advancing knowledge, fostering inclusion, and inspiring discovery in service of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. This strategic plan outlines our priorities and aspirations as we align our work with the university’s mission and prepare for a dynamic future. Below are our core areas of focus — each one rooted in our values and directly connected to institutional goals. These represent both what we are actively working on now and where we are headed. **Fostering Student Success and Wellbeing** *Aligned with University Goals: 1A, 2A, 2B, 4A* 1. Host structured student feedback sessions on a regular cadence to ensure our services are responsive and inclusive. 2. Through user feedback and best design principles, improve discovery platforms and interfaces to make library resources more intuitive and accessible. 3. Strengthen our collections through evidence-based decision-making, grounded in usage data and curricular needs. 4. Create environments that support academic focus and mental well-being, including expanded quiet zones, sensory-friendly spaces, and improved lighting. 5. Expand tailored support for international students in collaboration with NIU’s Division of International Affairs. 6. Celebrate and support NIU’s diverse communities through programs like the LatinX and Black NIU/DeKalb oral history projects and cultural exhibits such as the Alebrijes installation. 7. Launch a “Library of Things” to provide equitable access to non-traditional materials—such as art supplies and tools—supporting hands-on learning and sustainability.