Standard 5.E.3 – Planning and Evaluation

5.E.3 The institution regularly and systematically evaluates the quality, adequacy, and utilization of its library and information resources and services, including those provided through cooperative arrangements, and at all locations where courses, programs, or degrees are offered. The institution uses the results of the evaluations to improve the effectiveness of these resources.

The semester/annual assessment reports are the most concrete evidence that we systematically evaluate our services, as the adequacy of the collection and the utilization of the resources and services are all items that are monitored in the assessment. Suggested actions for improvement from Assessment Reports are incorporated into next semester or next year’s goals and are indicated as such by an asterisk.

A representative list of changes/improvements that were implemented as a result of assessment activities (assessments plans, surveys, committee reviews, etc.) demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement. Of particular note are the changes/improvements that have come about this academic year as a result of the self-study process and the efforts of this committee.

Also, we have also done targeted studies, using benchmarks. For example, a benchmarking the size of our materials budgets against the those of similar colleges (Budget Committee Report 2003) confirmed that our materials budget was small. A similar comparision was done with the actual size of the collections. Enlarging the collection became a program budget priority, and a core collection budget was requested beginning in Spring 2007 and again through a Campus Initiative in Spring 2008. While the core collection initiative has not been funded, regular funding for materials purchases has increased and the collection has doubled in size from 2002 to 2008.

Another assessment that has been done is to track the impact of new furnishings on use of the library space. Though only a study of 6 months, there appears to be a significant increase in use of the library as a place to study, read, and relax.