Values, Vision, & Purpose

Our Values

What we believe in, what motivates us…

Kindness – so that people feel valued.

Curiosity – so that people are free to explore.

Belonging – so that we are truly open to all.

Our Vision

How we see the future, what we want the future to look like…

A welcoming and evolving community where all people connect, grow, and belong.

Our Purpose

Why we exist – our mission in this world…

We are a Community Connector, using our resources and partnerships to educate, enrich, and inspire the lives of all people.

Our Commitment to Equity

The Library is an active agent of change in the world…

We advance diversity, inclusion, and belonging for our staff, customers, partners, and the whole community to create an equitable Library and society.  We are committed to using our resources and partnerships to improve the lives of people of every race, ethnicity, culture, faith, age, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status, and gender.

These statements are taken from our Strategy FY 24-25. This document serves as our roadmap to respond to our customers’ and community’s needs and expectations for library services. See also our Antiracism/Equity Statement.

Land Acknowledgment Statement

A Land Acknowledgment is a statement that formally recognizes the historical and continuing connection between all Indigenous People. 

Anne Arundel County Public Libraries were built on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Piscataway-Conoy People. Piscataway-Conoy means the "People of Where the Water Blends Below the Rapids." 

Throughout history, people of many sovereign Indigenous Nations have come to reside in this region. We respectfully acknowledge their rich culture and contributions and strive to honor all Indigenous communities- Past, Present and Future.  

We encourage everyone to learn about the histories along with the legacy of cultural and environmental advancements made by native peoples of the places where they live and work including the stories of enslavement and genocide.