5.A.3 Information resources and services are determined by the nature of the institution’s educational programs and the locations where programs are offered.
Lead Bloggers: Joella/Danny
1. Do the collection and online resources reflect the programs that are offered at the college?
The resources provided by the UM-Helena library reflect the programs offered by the college in that the bulk of library resources are geared toward General Education; this department houses a large majority of the student population. Other programs like trades and technical are also represented by the collection. The online data bases provide a number of choices for areas such as Science, Business, Nursing, etc. However, the online resources for Computer and Trades could be bolstered. Trades could be split into Welding, Aviation, Diesel, etc. and online resources specific to those technologies provided.
2. Are our selected materials at the appropriate level for our programs or are they too remedial (high school level) or too advanced (graduate level)?
The online databases are geared towards the undergraduate level. However, there are additional data bases that are graduate level or high school level. These data bases, however, serve a purpose in that the nature of a two year college results in both advanced students and students who need to do some “catching up”. Thus the databases service the demographic of our students.
The in house collection is focused specifically on the undergraduate program in which the title was purchased. This reflects the libraries attentiveness to instructor suggested material for specific programs and so takes the guess work out of purchasing program specific titles.
3. How is the library responsive to request from programs?
The library takes requests from faculty and processes that request through the Collection Management Plan. There is an online form so that request can be easily made or requests can be made in person at the library.
4. How are faculty involved in determining the resources for the library? The services? Should there be a more formal advisory board to the library?
Anyone can make a request for the collection. Again, these requests must follow protocol. Education department also consult with the librarian in regards to collection additions and the librarian attends academic departmental chair meetings, thus staying abreast of changes within the academic areas.
The advisory board to the library should probably meet 2 times a year to review the libraries processes and to provide feedback; insuring the library is on par with other institutions.
5. What services are offered that support the educational programs? In particular, how is the General Education program supported by the library program?
The library offers class room research instruction and an instructor may “book” a librarian to help out in specific classes. Additionally, students may take advantage of interlibrary loan programs to supplement their research and AV equipment is available to aid both instructors and students in presenting their work.
6. Are there any library services that are provided to the programs at the airport campus? Why are there not more services provided to this campus?
Online resources are available to students at the airport campus. Additionally the library provides local newspaper delivery. Additional services offered by the library must be accessed on site at the library. This requires airport campus students to travel to the Donaldson campus.
This arrangement is not ideal and is recognized as so. However, the funding available for staffing a cross-town library operation is not available. If such funding were to materialize the cross-town library service would be of great interest.
7. How do the library collection and services support students enrolled in online classes?
Students enrolled in online classes may access the libraries online databases and reference guides from their home computers. Also, the library web page contains resources to facilitate students during research projects; such as documents that outline the research process. Online students may also take advantage of the Blackboard link provided by the library.
Perhaps a monthly email newsletter updating online students as to the new resources available may help to spark interest and motive students to visit their local libraries.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Posted by Candace:
Librarian has sought out nursing faculty at least several times an academic year to consult regarding curriculum resources that are current and relevant to program of study. Even though this process has been informal, the resources are either made available in a very timely manner or notification of problem/difficulty/cost involved has been communicated to faculty.
In response the question about staff and faculty borrowing from Lewis & Clark Library, Montana State Library, and other libraries in town -- I revisted our agreements, and it only specifies reciprocal borrowing with students. These signed agreements are 10 years old and probably need to be revisted and resigned.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that any resident of the state of Montana can use and borrow from the state libraries, including the Montana Law Library. Carroll used to offer "community library cards" to members of the surrounding community so that they could use the library and check out books from the circulating collection.
I believe Suzanne is correct. So faculty and staff could borrow from most libraries in the community by virtue of arrangements other than our reciprocal agreements. The one big exception would be that staff and faculty could not borrow from Lewis & Clark Library unless they are residents of the county or they have purchased a library card.
Post a Comment