Mission Statement

The JKM Library, comprising its staff, services, systems and functions, and material and virtual resources, exists primarily to support the missions and programs of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and McCormick Theological Seminary. As the library staff responds to the changing nature of the dissemination of knowledge, their mission is to collaborate with faculty and students and staff as integral partners in the teaching, learning and research environments, and to provide access to and interpretation of relevant resources. Secondarily, the library serves as a resource for the Church and the larger academic community, particularly the University of Chicago and the Association of Chicago Theological Schools.

To achieve its goals, as funds permit, the JKM Library:

• Responds to the curricular needs of LSTC and McCormick by acquiring, organizing, preserving, interpreting and making available relevant theological and religious resources.
• Assumes particular responsibility for collecting resources from the Lutheran and Reformed traditions.
• Provides instruction on identifying, locating, accessing and assessing relevant resources.
• Acquires and maintains up-to-date technologies for providing access to its resources.
• Provides suitable working environments for patrons and staff.
• Maintains related rare and special collections, other than archival materials.
• Participates in local, national and international networks and services for sharing and accessing scholarly resources.

*Written by the JKM Library staff on January 7, 2005 and approved by the JKM Board of Trustees February 9, 2005.