The mission of the Ernest J. Gaines Center is to support interest in the works of Dr. Ernest J. Gaines (1933-2019) and the themes found in his novels. The faculty and staff of the Ernest J. Gaines Center work to develop resources, outreach programs, and collaborations to ensure that our work lives up to the mission of the center and honors the legacy of a celebrated and accomplished American author. In 2020, the Ernest J. Gaines Center began developing 5-year strategic plans that address the evolving needs of our patrons and align our mission with the mission of the Edith Garland Dupré Library and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.