The Greensboro Free Library brings its community together by providing resources and programs that support lifelong learning, enrichment, and access to the world of information.
Our Mission
Our Core Values
The Greensboro Free Library is guided by a set of shared values that help us make thoughtful decisions, especially when resources are limited. These values reflect who we are as a library, how we serve our community, and what we strive to uphold in our daily work.
Welcoming & Inclusive
We strive to be a place where everyone feels they belong. We treat all people with respect, work to ensure equity and accessibility, and reflect the full community we serve.
Stewardship & Responsibility
We honor the trust placed in us by caring for the library’s resources, relationships, and public role with responsibility and accountability, making choices that strengthen the community.
Curiosity & Growth
We nurture curiosity by encouraging discovery, creativity, and learning. We support people of all ages as they explore new ideas and continue growing throughout their lives.
Sustainability & Care
We commit to the long term well being of our community, including staff, volunteers, and patrons, by building the capacity to adapt, remain resilient, and thrive as needs change.
How These Values Guide Our Work
These values are not just statements. They actively shape how the library operates and makes decisions.
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Integrated into library policies alongside our mission
Shared through our website, newsletters, and public materials
Introduced in staff, trustee, and volunteer orientation
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As a guide for budgeting, programming, and new initiatives
As a reference point in board and staff discussions
As a way to clearly communicate priorities to the community, donors, and town partners
As a standard for accountability and reflection
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The library’s values will be reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees to ensure they continue to reflect our work in practice. They will be revisited more formally every three to five years as part of strategic planning or retreats. Ongoing feedback from staff, trustees, and community members is always welcome.
How These Values Were Developed
At a board and staff retreat in September 2025, participants reflected on what the library means to the community and what should guide its future. Through discussion and collaboration, several themes consistently rose to the surface. These themes were refined into clear, one sentence value statements that are easy to remember and flexible enough to guide decisions over time.
Inclusiveness emerged as the anchor value, stewardship as a responsibility to the community, and sustainability as a commitment to long term resilience and care for people and resources.
Together, these values form a cohesive framework for how the library operates and why it matters.