Section III: Comprehensive Standards (Library and Other Learning Resources)

3.8.2.  The institution ensures that users have access to regular and timely instruction in the use of the library and other learning/information resources.

JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Compliance.

NARRATIVE/JUSTIFICATION FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Northeast Alabama Community College demonstrates compliance in ensuring that users have access to regular and timely instruction in the use of the library and other learning/information resources. An orientation to the use of materials and equipment of the Learning Resources Center is available to students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community patrons. This orientation may be in either a formal group setting or in an informal individual setting. 

Orientation to the library and other learning resources is often conducted in a formal setting with an entire class. Many teachers, especially of English 101, English 102, and Speech 107, bring their classes to the library to receive a formal orientation in both the print and electronic resources of the Learning Resources Center. As an assessment of the success of the orientation, students are sometimes expected to complete a quiz or a performance-based assessment such as a scavenger hunt to locate information. In the 2002-2003 academic year, professional librarians conducted 72 formal orientation sessions (see Table 9, Core Requirement 2.8). These orientations are adapted according to the subject matter and the specific needs of each class. For example, one biology teacher recently brought her classes to the Learning Resources Center for an orientation for the electronic resources only. In addition, orientations are also provided for the students of surrounding high schools who wish to utilize the resources of Northeast Alabama Community College.           

Although orientations are often conducted in a formal group setting, they are also conducted informally. Almost daily, the librarians and staff members of the Learning Resources Center provide informal instruction, often one-on-one training to students, instructors, and community patrons on the use of materials and equipment.

In addition to instruction by the LRC staff, technology training is available through formal computer science courses and in other specific courses that may utilize computers in instruction throughout campus. Tutors are available to provide technology training in the computer science lab, the Learning Logic math lab, and the writing lab. A component of the QEP will be the provision of student workshops in technology use.

Whether conducted in a formal or informal setting, orientation to the library and other learning/information resources appears to be successful. When polled, 99 percent of administrators, faculty, and staff members; 98 percent of students; and 100 percent of community patrons either agreed or strongly agreed that Northeast Alabama Community College ensures that users have access to regular and timely instruction in the use of the library and other learning/information resources. 

Figure 1.  Percentage of Respondents that Agree or Strongly Agree that Users

Have Access to Regular and Timely Instruction in the Use of Library and Other Learning/Information Resources

                               Source: 2003 Library Survey Concerning COC Comprehensive Standards

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