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Principles
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Mission & Principles
The mission of the MINITEX Library Information Network is to enhance the effectiveness
and efficiency of participating libraries by expanding their access to local, state,
regional, national and international information resources.
This is accomplished by promoting partnerships, effective delivery of needed information
and by sharing library resources including collections and electronic resources,
bibliographic records, and reference services through conventional, electronic, and
innovative means. MINITEX pursues technological innovations to provide new opportunities
for delivery of services.
The goal of the MINITEX staff is to facilitate resource-sharing activities of
participating libraries by providing:
- Access to electronic information resources through consortial purchase agreements;
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A system for delivering and sharing information and resources among participating
libraries;
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Access to bibliographic records and technical support for cataloging services including
identification of local holdings for all types of formats;
- Maintenance of a union list of serials for the region;
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Leadership and expertise to participating libraries and other public bodies to further
interlibrary cooperation and innovation;
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Forums for ongoing planning of interlibrary activities and cooperation with groups and
agencies with similar goals and activities (e.g. state, regional, national, and
international);
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Training, continuing education, and professional development for library staff members
relevant to the mission of MINITEX so libraries can serve their users more efficiently
and effectively.
Principles
The following principles guide administration of and participation in the MINITEX Library
Information Network (MINITEX) and describe roles of participating libraries.
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The MINITEX Library Information Network is a publicly supported network created to
enhance local library service by facilitating group planning, cooperation, and resource
sharing among libraries.
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MINITEX participating libraries are the most appropriate level for providing user
services and are responsible for their own collections, bibliographic records,
personnel, determining and serving their clientele, and selecting among MINITEX programs
for which they are eligible to enhance services to their users. Libraries are strongly
encouraged to strive to provide excellent services to their users. Screening of document
delivery and reference requests sent to the MINITEX office is managed locally by the
library staff, not by the MINITEX staff.
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MINITEX participation by a library should improve or provide additional services and
increase the availability of other libraries' resources to a library's users. In no case,
should participation of any library lead to deterioration of service to its users or to
other MINITEX participating libraries.
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MINITEX participation should aid cost-effectiveness in individual libraries, allow for
improved use of available funding, and reduce the rate of increase in library costs.
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MINITEX programs should be developed with flexibility to interface with regional, state,
multi-state, or national programs and/or support local cooperative activity. National
and international standards and protocols (bibliographic, telecommunications, formats,
etc.) should be adopted uniformly in the development of any programs or systems. All
relevant standards relating to libraries are considered by the MINITEX/LDS Joint
Standards Task Force and recommended for adoption to appropriate advisory committees.
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MINITEX libraries should meet the appropriate standards and guidelines for their type of
library.
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MINITEX staff will support access to communication, delivery, and bibliographic systems
to the degree that it is feasible, but local use of those systems and the accompanying
costs are the responsibilities of the individual library.
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MINITEX participation does not preclude participating libraries from using services
available from other agencies or organizations. Whenever possible, libraries are
expected to use locally available resources. Libraries are encouraged to participate
in other regional, state, multi-state, or national and international networks as appropriate.
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MINITEX participating libraries should adhere to established criteria for participation
in the MINITEX Library Information Network.
[Endorsed by the MINITEX Advisory Committee to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education on
December 3, 1999.]