Who We Are

The Douglas D. Schumann Library & Learning Commons is committed to providing equitable and meaningful access to our materials, services, and spaces. We endeavor to embody the Institute’s commitment to Inclusive Excellence. We strive to be an open, safe, welcoming space in which academic and social learning can take place in an atmosphere of respect for all of our community members, regardless of any of our differences, such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religious or spiritual tradition, socioeconomic class, age, or ability.  

Our staff are dedicated to Inclusive Excellence: to providing the highest level of library services; to advocating for student and faculty needs; and to promoting and defending free speech and intellectual freedom in accordance with the ALA Library Bill of Rights and the ALA Freedom to Read Statement. The Library also conforms with Equal Employment Opportunity standards, knowing that our strength is based in differences in viewpoints, backgrounds, and subject knowledge. 

The Library collects and disseminates materials that not only support the Institute’s curriculum, but also recognize and reflect the diversity of the Institute’s students, faculty, and staff, and their dedication to social justice, both here and around the world. When acquiring materials for our collections we strive to be alert to personal biases and privilege, and to present a multiplicity of viewpoints on the issues of the day. We welcome feedback about our materials, services, and spaces so that we can partner with our community in supporting the well-being of all our community’s members. 

We seek to empower our students to use our resources effectively and efficiently, to think critically, and to become engaged citizens of the world. This is the measure of our success.