About

Learner Centre Community Agreement

September 13, 2022

The goal of this process was to promote a greater sense of community and to clearly identify what users of the Learner Centre expect in order to feel safe and welcome while using the space. The full agreement is now posted on the walls of the student meeting rooms and key messages appear on pillars, and (soon) computer screen savers throughout the space.
You can also view the full text on our website.

We invite you to provide us with any feedback about your experiences when using the Learner Centre - you can stop at the Library desk to chat or send an email to us at library@norquest.ca.

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Reconsideration Requests and Challenges to Intellectual Freedom

The library adheres to the Canadian Federation of Library Association’s (CFLA) statement on Intellectual Freedom. That statement is available through the CFLA’s website. This space is dedicated to the transparent reporting of all challenges to the legitimacy of library material; choice of library content; nature of library events or guests; content or placement of library displays. NorQuest College Library is committed to a fair and transparent dialog regarding a request to reconsider library materials or events. There are not challenges to report at this time.

 

• Intellectual Freedom and Libraries Procedure
• Library Statement on Confidentiality
• NorQuest Library Challenge Form

 

NorQuest Library Purpose, Values and Vision

The library actively supports the academic mission of the college, inspiring life-long learning, collaboration and discovery within and beyond our physical spaces. We engage with our diverse college community to foster critical thinking, creativity, and learner success. 

NorQuest Library Values 

• Excellence in customer service 
• Expertise, integrity and professionalism 
• The learner is at the centre of everything we do 
• Intellectual freedom 
• Equitable access to information, resources and services 
• Collaboration and communication 
• A safe and inclusive environment 
• Innovation, discovery and creativity 

The library is committed to creating a space of safety, respect, and inclusion. In keeping with our learner-centred approach, a community agreement outlines the values of our shared space. This agreement was created for students, by students. 

NorQuest Library Vision 

The library will be a fully engaged partner in the delivery of workforce-relevant education within and beyond the library’s physical spaces. We will play a leading role in supporting student success and lifelong learning at NorQuest. This will be accomplished by: 

• Developing a flexible approach to service and program delivery 
• Pursuing intentional collaborations with college teaching, learning and service partners 
• Seeking out new technologies that support the innovation of library services, automation, and improved learner experiences 
• Transforming library collections and processes to advance Indigenization, equity, diversity, and inclusion; and expand open access for all. 

NorQuest College Library recognizes that our catalogue and resource descriptions contain language that reflects the biases, norms, and perspectives of the time in which they were created. 

In particular, for resources about persons and groups, this language is often outdated and harmful. These descriptions also incorporate controlled vocabularies, such as the Library of Congress Subject Headings, which include some headings (e.g., Indians of North America), that are offensive or inappropriate. We use international standards for description, but support and actively participate in efforts to update and change these practices as we strive for descriptions that are inclusive, respectful, and do not cause harm. 

We acknowledge the critical importance of community consultation in these efforts, and as residents on Treaty 6 territory and Métis Region 4 we commit to working together with our local communities to make these changes. 

We pledge to amplify the voices of BIPOC and other groups of people that have been marginalized by the dominant narratives. These anti-racist efforts will be present in: 

• Our collection processes as we source more BIPOC authors and catalogue them using a holistic lens;
• Our instructional practices guided by the Skills of Distinction, Circle of Courage, and Wahkôhtowin, among other sources; and
• Our policy decisions as we create spaces and services in our library that will approach the needs of our communities through collaboration and learning.

We are committed to critically reflecting on our actions in order to transform the colonial systems we operate within and we acknowledge the journey towards social justice will be ongoing and imperfect.