Values

At the University of Maryland College of Information (INFO College), we strive to achieve our mission by embracing and living our shared values:

Service to Society

• Educate and support all, including those who are underserved and marginalized
• Empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions
• Help organizations operate more effectively and efficiently
• Produce exemplary scholarship in information science and related fields
• Be agents of change for good locally, at the state and federal levels, and globally

Creativity, Discovery & Innovation

• Stay curious and open to new ideas and experiences
• Create constantly, valuing learning from failure
• Connect to sources of inspiration while remaining grounded in rigor
• Advance new foundational knowledge and scholarship of the interplay of information, technology, and people

Develop & Empower People

• Create an inclusive, equitable environment where students, staff, and faculty with different identities, abilities, and backgrounds can thrive
• Empower colleagues by being present
• Support others’ ideas and autonomy
• Support shared and collaborative governance
• Maintain transparent communication and accountability
• Identify and remove barriers to achievement

Collaborative & Multidisciplinary

• Work with others to create bigger ideas and have a larger and longer-lasting impact
• Seek exposure to alternative ideas and perspectives
• Be a catalyst in bringing together different groups and disciplines

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Be aware of new best practices and developments in our field
• Engage in ongoing critical comparison to identify and implement improvements, including issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Frequently integrate new knowledge and assess its utility
• Conduct a systematic assessment to inform evidence-based change
• Develop relevant metrics, continually collect data, and measure trajectories
• Exceed expectations of quality