Becoming a digital library

Abstract

Cornell is a young university, chartered in 1868 through the impetus of an inventor and entrepreneur. On the university’s Inauguration Day, Ezra Cornell declared: ‘‘Finally, I trust we have laid the foundation of an University— an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.’’ Perhaps as a consequence of its youthful vitality, Cornell has prized both independence and innovation. Its mixture of Land Grant and Ivy League has created a climate that is remarkably diverse, and its relative geographic isolation has produced a culture that embraces technological change as a means of closing the physical gap. Its libraries mirror this diversity and independence, with strong collections covering a broad swath of knowledge and specialized service tailored to a particular clientele, be they veterinarians, musicologists, architects, or engineers. Mann Library, Cornell’s library serving agriculture, selected social sciences, and the life sciences, is internationally renowned for its cutting-edge initiatives, the creativity of its staff, and its strong relationship with its users, including both faculty and students.Mann’s excellence derives from its tradition of outstanding leadership and the commitment to excellence imbued in its entire staff. The library places a premium on professionalism, and it has built an astonishing program of digital achievements through the development of a solid team, shaped through careful recruitment and warm and judicious mentoring.