Mission & Vision

The mission of OELMA is to advocate excellence, facilitate change, promote lifelong learning, and develop leaders in the school library media field.

VISION STATEMENT Our vision as educators is to prepare students to become lifelong learners who are well read and information literate. To do so, we collaborate with other educators to teach information and technology skills that are fundamental to the school curriculum.

The vision of our profession is to guarantee that all students in Ohio benefit from quality library media services as an integral part of their learning, and that all educators have professional development opportunities that support effective use of educational media, technology, and information skills in their teaching.

OELMA will make a difference for members of the field/profession by addressing the important issues;

OELMA will have a state presence and a state identity

OELMA will encourage diversity in its membership

OELMA will be organized to clearly address the identified essential functions

OELMA's structure will allow members to be represented in the decision-making process

OELMA involvement opportunities will be varied and geographically dispersed

GOALS OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. All educational institutions in Ohio, pre-K through post-doctoral, will recognize the essential role of library media programs for student literacy and achievement; therefore teaching and learning throughout the state will be supported by professionally staffed library media programs which fulfill recognized standards of quality identified in Information Power
2. Professional education curricula will prepare all educators, whether seeking initial or renewed licensure, for effective use of information literacy skills and educational technology.
3. Educational library media professionals and programs at all levels will have opportunities to engage in information and resource sharing through local, regional, and statewide cooperative projects.
4. Educational library media professionals at all levels will recognize the importance of defending and promoting the principles of intellectual freedom.
5. Educational library media personnel of Ohio will actively participate in OELMA, as well as other professional education associations.
6. The Association will secure its operations by maintaining effective bylaws, policies, goals and financial plans.
7. The Association will maintain and implement a cogent plan of library media advocacy.
8. The Association will endeavor to identify and develop new leaders.
9. The Association will grant special recognition to individuals or institutions for outstanding contributions, leadership, or programming in the educational library media field.
10. The Association will communicate its goals and activities in effective,timely ways.