The Harrison County Library System is the community’s network for lifelong learning.

We seek to support and improve our community’s quality of life by connecting people with information and with each other, by preserving and sharing our history, and by providing tools for the future. To this end, we provide materials in a variety of formats, technology to enhance access to information, programs and space to share knowledge, and staff to facilitate each patron’s journey.  We strive to fulfill this mission both within our branches and by taking mobile outreach to patrons outside our walls. We believe that collecting, organizing, and providing knowledge helps our community thrive and makes our democracy stronger.

Philosophy:

Access: We strive to balance providing as broad an access as possible to materials and technology resources to the most residents we can while remaining good stewards of public funds, adhering to applicable laws, and ensuring a safe and welcoming atmosphere. 

Collection: We strive to meet our communities’ information needs by providing multiple types of content within the limits of our budgetary constraints. 

Programs: Beyond our physical materials, technology resources, and digital materials, HCLS provides additional resources through our staff expertise and library programming. Staff participate in continuing education to provide excellent assistance to patrons, and each branch offers educational programming to match the unique needs of the community served. In addition, the library allows outside groups meeting rooms provide programs as resources as space is available.

Local History: Besides providing access to information resources, HCLS actively collects, preserves, and organizes collections pertaining to local history for use by patrons, government entities, and researchers of various kinds. Ensuring the preservation and accessibility of historical items is an essential function of HCLS. 

Service Excellence: Our goal is to ensure our staff receive the training and tools they need to fulfill our mission every day. 

Adopted 7/27/2020; Amended 7/29/2024