About Us
The Athens Regional Library System is a vibrant network of eleven locations across Clarke, Franklin, Madison, Oconee, and Oglethorpe counties. We are proud to serve more than 250,000 residents, each bringing a unique background and perspective to our libraries. While our five counties are distinct, we are united by a singular mission: to provide exceptional service that meets the needs of every individual who walks through our doors. Welcome to your library!
Vision
Engaging Communities — Exceeding Expectations
Mission
We welcome, empower and encourage everyone to discover, imagine, and become lifelong learners.
Values
The Athens Regional Library System emphasizes a customer-centered culture. We accomplish this through the everyday practice of our organizational values. It is through our values that we provide an atmosphere and work environment that is:
Accessible
We are committed to ensuring library services are available and accessible for every individual in our service area. We accomplish this through our policies and procedures, specialized staff training, proactive community outreach, the creation of tailored programs and exhibits, and the recruitment and retention of a highly qualified workforce that reflects the public we serve. Our goal is to remove barriers and create a positive, lasting impact on everyone who interacts with us. By embodying these values, we empower all people to expand their horizons in an environment designed for easy navigation and safe exploration.
Supportive of our COMMUNITY
We support the success of our community and strengthen the connections we all share. This library is an accessible public resource for the open communication of ideas and information. Our facilities, collections, hours, and services reflect and enhance our community. We engage our community by being responsive and by making a difference. We are full participants in our vision, mission, goals, activities, and plans.
RESPECTFUL
We treat every person fairly and impartially, providing equitable access to all library resources, information, and technology, and taking into account the individual’s needs and requirements. We improve lives by providing services and resources to everyone without consideration of social status, education level, ability, ethnicity, ideas, personal beliefs, age, sexual identity, gender, or citizenship status. We believe, without exception, in validating all voices and treating everyone equitably.
Committed to EXCELLENCE
We are committed to the highest standards of performance, quality, and service. We act with integrity, honesty, and confidentiality. We focus on the needs and expectations of the community and of our residents. We are empowered to continuously improve and expand our individual and organizational knowledge, skills, abilities, and activities.
WELCOMING
We believe “helpful” is an active word with a human element. We connect with patrons and each other in positive ways. We help people make the best use of the library. We celebrate the individual uniqueness of our patrons or staff; we anticipate the needs of the individual and community and we adapt to better serve them. As libraries, technologies, and people change, we will transform the resources, services, and programs that we offer. We understand that our connection with people is unique and vital.
Strategic Goals
Strategic Goal 1: We are vital to the community.
We are an essential resource that inspires lifelong learning in the communities we serve. Through enhanced services and partnerships, we are the library system our communities need for continued growth and vitality.
Strategic Goal 2: We reflect, foster and include communities of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
Our services reflect and support all the populations we serve. Our libraries provide materials and programs that celebrate a wide variety of cultures and connect community members from different backgrounds and with varying abilities. We also provide expansive access to all library services and further equip the community to confidently explore new technologies.
Strategic Goal 3: We are a dynamic and valuable organization that is essential for the future of our communities.
We effectively communicate the value our libraries bring to the community by expanding connections with local leaders. We seek grants and other sponsorship opportunities. We systematically and compellingly communicate our successes by reporting our success measures and widely sharing our community impact.
Strategic Goal 4: We learn and grow together to foster a positive and thriving work environment.
We collaborate to build positive work cultures that empower staff to grow and succeed. We meet individual and team goals through expanded training, two-way communication, and learning opportunities. We build trust and improve retention by prioritizing equitable wages and increasing transparency.