"Iowa State University Library aspires to be the first place that people in the ISU community think of when they need information. We are creative partners in learning and teaching, research, and outreach. We select, organize, present, preserve, and promote information resources for present and future scholarly communities. We are active stewards of our rich collections of knowledge, and we provide innovative services in ways that anticipate needs and respect the diversity of community and ideas."

The Library's current mission statement appears at the beginning of the Library's 5-year strategic plan (In Pursuit of our Strategic Vision, 2005-2010), which is publicly available via the e-Library website. The mission statement was originally developed in the year 2000, as part of a library-wide strategic planning effort that included staff from all divisions as well as the University Library Committee (which includes both faculty and student representatives). In 2005, the mission statement was reviewed again by the University Library Committee and underwent minor textual revision. The mission statement is typically reviewed as part of the 5-year strategic planning process.

Library staff at all levels are invited to participate in strategic planning, which is typically accomplished through a series of open forum discussions. All staff, regardless of whether they participate directly in the strategic planning process, receive email updates from the Library Dean, apprising them of the planning process and encouraging their feedback.

In the Library's strategic planning process, university and library plans are reviewed side-by-side, in an effort to ensure not only shared mission, vision, values, and priorities, but also consistency in terminology and presentation.