History, Mission, Vision, and Values

History

Named for Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio, (class of 1938), the library is dedicated to the memory of her husband, Henry Cirio, and her brother, Joseph Gallucci.

From its beginning in 1894, the institution that would become Fitchburg State University relied on its library. Students in the first classes were told there would be no textbooks; they were expected to “use the library” on the second floor of Thompson Hall.

The library stayed in Thompson until 1963 when it was moved to the basement of the new administration building known today as Sanders. In 1975, the library was on the road again, this time landing in the new Campus Center building where it remains to this day.

In 2002, in honor of the University's largest bequest, the library was formally named for Mrs. Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio. Mrs. Cirio’s gift created endowments for the study of Italian language and culture and established a study room named for her brother Joseph.

The library was included in the renovation of the entire Hammond Campus Center beginning in 2010, and a new modern library was opened to students at the start of the spring 2016 semester.

Mission Statement

The Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library supports the teaching and scholarship mission of Fitchburg State University by providing a dynamic and collaborative learning space, both physically and virtually. Actively developing, maintaining, and creating accessible collections with evolving services is essential to this mission.

Librarians and staff teach key information literacy skills that enable users to effectively find, manage, critically evaluate, and use information. The library's goal is to create an environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and the social, cultural, and professional development of students, faculty, and staff.

Vision Statement

The library will be an integral component of a nationally recognized University. The library and its resources will be the primary intellectual space, both physically and virtually, for the University community. We accomplish this by:

• Creating collaborative learning environments that will adapt to the changing needs of the University.
• Integrating librarians, programs, and services into the academic curriculum.
• Developing and providing access to rich and diverse resources regardless of format, location, or mode of access.
• Utilizing relevant, current, and emerging technologies effectively.
• Acting in partnership with faculty for the development and enhancement of academic courses and programs.

Values Statement

The Values Statement lists the fundamental values that guide interactions among employees of the library and with its users, Fitchburg State University, and its surrounding community partners.

We affirm and support the core values of Fitchburg State University, including accessibility, affordability, community, enrichment, and excellence. In addition, we uphold the following library values:

1. Student-Centered

The AVGC Library supports student success and life-long learning by delivering high-quality resources, instruction, services, programs, and spaces to support the educational and professional goals of our students. The AVGC Library plays a critical role in educating students to be skilled and information literate researchers. 
 

2. Collaboration

The AVGC Library works in sustained and intentional partnerships with faculty, staff, administrators, and the surrounding Fitchburg community to amplify the impact of our work and leverage our position on campus as the hub for scholarship and learning.
 

3. Innovation

The AVGC Library fosters innovation by always seeking new and better ways of working with the University community. We think creatively, embrace change and new technologies, encourage intellectual curiosity, and experiment as individuals and as a team.
 

4. Diversity and Inclusivity

The AVGC Library recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of every member of our community and works to ensure equitable and impartial access to resources, services, and programs. We strive to create a welcoming environment that promotes a sense of belonging and to provide services, spaces, collections, and systems that are accessible to our community.
 

5. Stewardship

The AVGC Library is an effective steward of its spaces and resources. The AVGC Library incorporates assessment into all its work to continually improve learning, resources, and services and to make the most efficient use of resources. The AVGC Library commits to the care and preservation of knowledge and materials entrusted to us, and to their transmission to future generations.

6. Professionalism

The AVGC librarians, staff, and administration strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing their own knowledge and skills,  encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and fostering a workplace that is inclusive, respectful, generous, and open to change.

 Revised June 2019