Every day is a good day to promote free access to ideas and information for all people, regardless of age, origin, background or views. Get your governing body involved as well. As the political body representing the library, it is the ideal advocate for the library and for intellectual freedom. Initiate and maintain good relationships with civic, religious, educational, and political bodies in your community. These groups may be able to assist with outreach and be there with support in the case of a challenge.
Intellectual freedom is everyone's issue.
A mission statement is a broad, philosophical statement of the purpose of the library, specifying the fundamental reasons for its existence. The mission statement gives direction to the library by establishing the scope of the library's activities, providing overall direction, and giving a framework and justification for the library's goals and objectives. Read the sample mission statement at the back of this section, contact the State Library consultants, consult the State Library's homepage, or ask other librarians if they would share their mission statements. Keep in mind who the library serves, what the library provides, and how and why the library provides it. Remember, the mission statement does not list the library's specific policies or procedures, but states the philosophy on which those things will be based.