Standard Seven - Library & other Information Resources

 

DESCRIPTION

Library

The Library's 2007 Mission Statement informs and defines the Library's role, complementing the 2007 College Mission Statement and 2003 College Strategic Plan. The Director of the Wilkens Library and Online & Learning Technologies is advised by the Library and Learning Resources Committee as he establishes policy and plans strategies for the Library's future. The Director annually requests funding for library materials to support all programs, with special emphasis on accredited programs and purchasing titles directly requested by faculty and other high priority items in the general book and periodical collections. Appendix Chart 7a provides a 5 year summary of annual expenditures for materials and information sources, which were supplemented in 2003 and 2005 by the College's 2+2 partner institutions. Many full-text databases now support student learning and faculty research. The Library's 20 networked student workstations are in constant use and 4 additional ones are optimized for online catalog use. Librarians teach frequent and varied Information Literacy classes in the interactive Information Skills Classroom, which features individual desktop broadcast ability. Information Literacy classes are available upon request for any subject. Professional Librarians (4.56 FTE, including the Director) also attend department meetings, offer workshops and provide orientation sessions for new faculty. All Health Science and first-year English students receive targeted instruction in Information Literacy and critical thinking. Library personnel include support staff (6.7 FTE) and work study students (1.25 FTE). The Director serves as the College's Copyright Officer, advising the College community on compliance matters and academic "fair-use" guidelines. The Executive Director of the Office of Information Technology (OIT) establishes appropriate technology use standards, which appear in the Information Technology Student Handbook.

The Library's collections include 55,000 print titles, 17,000 microfilm reels and subscriptions to 175 current print periodicals as well as many thousands of online full-text journals available via web-mounted electronic indexes or through a Serials Solutions gateway. Over 6,100 audiovisuals and adaptive equipment items are available for classroom and individual onsite use. The Nickerson Room's Cape Cod Collection is the sole research library in the entire Cape and Islands region focusing on the history, environment, and culture of the area. The Nickerson Room also houses the official College Archives, as well as unique and rare deeds, over 15,000 manuscripts, works by Cape Cod artists & writers, personal papers, maps, genealogical resources, and historic images and artifacts, notably scrimshaw. The Library's website provides access to catalogs, indexes, and recommended websites for on-campus and remote users.

Consortial partners, including CLAMS (Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing), the local automated library network, and the regional SEMLS (Southeastern Massachusetts Library System) offer free or discounted access to internet-accessible databases and resources, as well as interlibrary delivery to the Library. Wilkens Library holdings appear in a CLAMS-administered online catalog, supported by the current integrated library system, Innovative Interfaces' Millennium, a robust platform that includes circulation, acquisitions, cataloging, serials, and course-reserve components. Statistics and data available from Millennium are used to analyze services, plan strategies, and support budget projections. Wilkens Library patrons also have access to the statewide Virtual Catalog and can independently request titles.

In 2003, the Library staff drafted a strategic plan that identified patron needs, established priorities, and proposed measurable outcomes for assessment. The Director compiles the Annual Report, using data and strategic plan elements to analyze the effectiveness of resources and services, to identify needs, and to support funding requests. In addition, he prepares the biennial Academic Library Survey (ALS) which is submitted to the National Center for Educational Statistics. The Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory, administered biannually, rates student satisfaction with Library and IT resources, as does the LIBQual+ Survey, completed in April 2007. The Director evaluates collected data from reports and surveys as he plans service enhancements and establishes budgetary priorities.

 

Distance Learning

The primary mission of Online and Learning Technologies(OLT) is to provide the College community remote access to educational opportunities, especially distance learning courses and course components. OLT is administered by the Director, Wilkens Library and Online & Learning Technologies. Since the College serves the students on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, as well as Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts, transportation logistics can make on-campus classroom attendance difficult, if not impossible. Blackboard is the College's interactive, internetaccessible learning management system platform. Blackboard's Basic version is fully implemented and available for faculty to create, develop and distribute course materials. Each course, every faculty member and student is assigned a Blackboard account. The Director of Teaching and Learning Technologies advises faculty concerning the appropriate use of copyrighted materials.

OLT staff members (1.48 FTE professional staff and 2.2 FTE support staff) provide instructional design assistance to faculty in the department's Instructional Technology Center (ITC), offer individual and group training for Blackboardrelated course development, foster faculty peersupport for Blackboard usage, and offer office support to online faculty, including exam proctoring.

Assistance in the use of Blackboard is also provided through online tutorials for both faculty and students. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are found on the Online and Learning Technologies website. Telephone, email and in-person help from support staff in OLT and via the IT Help Desk are also available.

OLT media services include video production, presentation support in the Multimedia Room, Channel 98 local access television programming, and video conferencing, allowing for instructional delivery to off-campus locations. The OLT budget includes allocations for course development stipends, training, software licenses, supplies and equipment, as well as staffing and equipment maintenance. Total funding over the last five years may be seen in Appendix document 7b (OLT Budget Allocations).

Faculty using Blackboard can access statistics measuring student activity and performance by function. In addition, a student evaluation form for each course is mandated by the MCCC Contract. OLT staff monitor the performance of the learning management system in order to make improvements as needed. OLT staff members advise the Director in preparing the department's Annual Report and budget request for the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

In addition, Mass Colleges Online (MCO) is available to supplement local course offerings to enhance overall distance learning options.

 

Information Technology

The Information Technology Strategic Plan 2003-2006 established information technology priorities for the College. The 2008-2013 Strategic Plan is currently in draft form. The Wilkens Library, OLT, and OIT share goals and services. The Information Strategy Group (ISG), the Administrative Users Group (AUG), the Operations Group (OPS), the Academic Technology Committee, and the Web Presence Committee (WPC) all advise the Executive Director, Office of Information Technology (OIT). After the last self-study, the College hired outside consultants from Collegis to plan and manage the development of information technology for 2 years, after which the College hired internal staff, now headed by an Executive Director, who serves as Chief Information Officer. The OIT has 17 full-time administrators and support staff and 12 part-time technicians who staff a Help Desk, provide audiovisual support and staff the telephone switchboard. OIT is organized into 3 divisions: Client Services, Core Services and Information Services. OIT is responsible for campus-wide communications and technology infrastructure, maintaining and supporting all computer workstations, including 40 presentation classrooms and campus-wide wireless internet access, as well as supporting faculty and staff software and media.

The College student information system, Jenzabar, is supported and maintained by OIT. Jenzabar currently supports online training for specific areas of functionality on an "as needed" basis. Jenzabar is a comprehensive student information database with modules for Admissions, Registration, Advising, Student Life, Financial Aid, General Ledger, Purchasing, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Assets, and Personnel. An online component, Campus Web, allows students to register online for courses and review their schedules. A thirdparty interface, FACTS, permits students registering for courses to immediately create a payment plan as part of the registration process. OIT also manages Ad Astra scheduling and room-assignment software, and Microsoft Exchange email with functional public folders, providing College-wide access to minutes, reports, announcements, and official electronic documents.

The Information Technology Strategic Plan guides system development and budget expenditures. High-priority instructional support areas continue to be funded and maintained. Faculty and staff requests for new software are actively solicited in late spring; hardware requests are invited at any time throughout the year. OIT provides discipline-specific software for such areas as Nursing, Environmental Technology, Music, GIS, Drafting, Graphic Design, Information Technology, and other academic programs. Technology security is provided via layered defense. The Department of Public Safety and the Facilities Maintenance Department provide physical security and OIT provides technical security measures such as firewall, virus protection, packet shaping, virtual local area network (VLAN) isolation of segments, and other means. Policies and technical measures are in place that proscribe secure network login techniques to all campus workstations. Help Desk technicians staff the large Open Computer area and the Help Desk in the Lyndon B. Lorusso Applied Technology Building daily. They provide telephone, email, and in-person support also to the Wilkens Library's Internet Research Area 7 days a week. FAQs are available via the web and in the Information Technology Student Handbook.

The College supports internal and external communication via print and electronic means. The use of electronic communication tools such as email, public folders and web–based forums for internal communication is encouraged and growing. The new MCCC/DCE Faculty Contract requires the College to use email as the official communication vehicle for contract related announcements and notifications. There is a need for a thorough review of the College's communication policies, the current tools, and how it can best use existing and future electronic communications.

 

APPRAISAL

Library

The Library Mission Statement was revised in 2007 to be compatible with the new, more succinct College Mission statement. "Students'education is the first priority" is reflected in the Library document. The Library's website provides primary access to library resources. The Library brochure and librarians onsite introduce the Library's services in person.

Over the last five years, funding for Library information resources has averaged approxi- mately $149,000 per year, but has fluctuated widely. This low level of funding does not allow the Library to adequately maintain its current collections. Furthermore, budget inconsistency challenges attempts to plan strategically for the growth in services or resources. Available funding is devoted to maintaining essential reference works, expanding access to online full-text databases and indexes, and purchasing materials for accredited academic programs. The balance of funding supports the general circulating book and media collections. Periodical price inflation has forced the Library to cancel subscriptions to print publications in order to subsidize online information resources. Consequently, the Strategic Plan's goal to replace 5% of the circulating books annually has not been met and the collection is aging. During FY2005, a private grant matched contributions from 2+2 partners, creating a pool of over $70,000 to support upper-division courses taught by those partners. Those funds have now been exhausted. Current funding is not adequate to maintain reference works bought to meet the needs of these programs.

Online information resources provide adequate access to journal articles in most disciplines. Computers and related software are updated regularly, and Help Desk support for instructional and information technology has been consistently of high quality. The Information Skills Classroom and Internet Research Area are equipped with current workstations and software. Wireless access to the internet allows for ubiquitous and growing use of laptops; however, the number of electrical outlets is not adequate to provide the requisite power.

Comments gleaned from the recent LibQual+ Survey indicate high student satisfaction with staff assistance, full-text databases and remote access to Library resources, but some dissatisfaction with noise and the number of available workstations in the Library. Internet Research Area workstations are in constant use and queues of waiting students are common.

All professional librarians possess graduate degrees in Library Science. Staff levels are in line with or exceed Massachusetts peers. For the last three years, support staff assistance in the media area has been reduced by one part-time position, and the sole full-time staff member in media services assists in covering the Reference area 10 hours weekly. Significant increases in demand for Information Literacy classes leave a deficit in professional Reference Desk coverage during those classes. From 2001 to 2006, the number of Information Literacy classes increased by 66%. For the past few years faculty workshops have been held to introduce new electronic resources and to demonstrate research techniques. The Coordinator of Library Services (Public Services) participated in a CONNECT initiative to define information literacy learning outcomes common to English Composition courses taught at selected institutions in Massachusetts. See Appendix document 7f (Library and OLT 2005-2006 Annual Report). There is currently no formal assessment of student proficiency in locating, analyzing, and using information, though English Composition faculty report improvement in written assignments as the number information literacy classes has grown. Accrediting organizations consistently give the Wilkens Library high marks for health science information literacy classes. Use of the Library's website as a portal to the online indexes and specialized databases (e.g. Micromedex) and many other resources continues to grow as a result of information literacy classes given by Library staff.

Information Literacy instruction is extremely important, but has created staffing problems. This exacerbates faculty and student frustration when they seek assistance in reference or media areas in particular. Evening reference services are now augmented by an additional support staff member whenever the librarian is teaching information literacy classes. The Library's Reference Statistics Report indicates that librarians in the Reference Office answer approximately 7,000 requests per year for assistance. In FY06, the College revised its policy and procedures concerning public performance rights. The current copyright compliance policy needs to be updated to reflect changes in the TEACH Act and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

The Library collection-development policy focuses on materials that complement course curricula with an emphasis on accredited programs. However, low funding levels have not provided sufficient budget to support all academic areas. Inter-library loan requests to other libraries have increased significantly, as has borrowing requests from other libraries (i.e. public library patrons are using Wilkens Library resources more). Fortunately, a daily book service is available to deliver materials borrowed from the public and academic libraries of Southeastern Massachusetts and patrons may now request many materials without staff intervention.

Although 10 new study tables were added this year, several reading and study areas also need better lighting and more soft furniture in order to be comfortable for student use. Lighting in some of the 2nd and 3rd floor book stacks is poor in the evening, making it difficult to find materials on the shelves. The library experiences mold growth in the humid summer months. Duct cleaning and water seepage repair on the 2nd floor is needed. A recent Office of Civil Rights Review of the entire campus documented the lack of appropriate Library access doors for handicapped patrons. Such repairs and improvements will require funding. Ceiling and lighting repairs to date have been made only in Library offices.

Librarians use spreadsheets to record and measure activities and expenditures, and maintain database-use statistics. The Millennium Acquisitions module records encumbrances and expenditures, and a SQL database within Millennium is available to compile use and collection statistics, which aid in the periodic weeding of high-use areas. Accredited areas are weeded annually in collaboration with faculty. The Director, Wilkens Library and Online & Learning Technologies analyzes many of these statistics as he prepares annual and biennial reports.

Distance Learning

The Director of the Wilkens Library and Online & Learning Technologies periodically reviews the College Mission and the objectives of the Online & Learning Technologies Department. Weekly meetings of the OLT staff include updates from Board of Trustees meetings, Vice Presidents' staff meetings, and progress reports on staff projects.

The rapid growth in online course development is adequately funded. The number of Blackboard online classes increased to nearly 30 over the last 2 years, and 27 online courses were offered this Fall. Blackboard is used by over 120 full or part-time faculty members. Student enrollment in distance learning classes has grown, and an increasing number of faculty members are considering "hybridizing" their courses in order to use some distance learning components.

Hybrid courses tend to outpace fully online courses, because they are easier to develop and they provide students with the advantages of both classroom and online experiences. The online component offers opportunities for student-to-student and faculty-to-student interaction.

Online tutorials and FAQs for Blackboard are reviewed and revised by the OLT staff. Workshops are well received and continue to increase in number. Faculty and professional staff receive assistance from the part-time Instructional Technology Center Manager, who is employed only 18 hours a week. Many faculty favor changing that position to full time.

Some faculty members, with OLT encouragement, have surveyed their online learning students to learn how they can improve student learning. Applications for developing new online courses are reviewed and approved as per the College/MCCC Distance Learning Agreement. Distribution of funds and training resources to support OLT activities is proportional to the number of online courses approved each year.

Information Technology

Under the leadership of Collegis and subsequently the Executive Director, OIT, the College has improved its technology infrastructure significantly in the past four years. Administrative support for instructional and information technology has been positive and consistent over the last five years. Microsoft licensing allows College faculty and staff to install Microsoft software at home to aid in class preparation. A lease contract with the Dell Computer Corporation ensures that all computers and server environments are replaced every three to five years. The Adobe Creative Suite CS3 is purchased in adequate numbers to make it available throughout the campus and arrangements have been made for faculty and student discounted purchases.

The College provides instructional technology support for all programs and departments using technology, now including open-source software. OIT is implementing a web portal as a major component of service that will ultimately provide students a single login to all services, off-campus access to files, and a tailored dashboard experience. The web portal is currently hosting the College web site.

Results from the Noel-Levitz Survey indicate satisfaction with IT services and support personnel. With ever-changing technology there is a need for greater flexibility in Information Technology organization and staffing. Student use of the OIT Open Computer Lab is high, as evidenced by the number of student logins. Software is updated each semester, and new programs are added in response to course needs. There is concern about the lack of professional development opportunities for faculty and staff and about students being unprepared to use various information technology tools.

Guidelines and policies of defining appropriate use of technology are clear and there appear to be very few instances of inappropriate behavior by technology users. The College has in place a procedure to limit large video and audio file downloads.

In 2007, the College hired a Director of Institutional Research to conduct systematic research on outcomes and program effectiveness. The College's current ability to plan and evaluate programs and services had been hampered by inconsistent data collection. In the future, improved data collection will permit better planning and evaluation. The OIT monitors network traffic, maintains equipment inventories, records equipment failure rates, and evaluates Help Desk performance. The Executive Director, OIT analyzes data on a regular basis for the purpose of strategic planning and budget requests. A new operational plan in line with a revised IT Strategic Plan is in progress and will be reviewed by IT stakeholders each year. All of these activities will contribute to continual improvement in the College's use of information technology to achieve its Mission. In workshops for part-time faculty and in a NEASC forum, participants expressed some frustration in coping with the volume of email received and the relevance of the messages. A College-wide communications planning process could assess current policies and resources and help identify how to best meet the mission and goals of the College as well as the expectations of the College community.

 

INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

Advances in technology and communication over the past decade have transformed education and with it the services, resources and infrastructure offered by the Wilkens Library, the Online Learning & Technologies Office (OLT) and the Office of Information Technology (OIT) to support teaching and learning effectively at Cape Cod Community College.

Projections - Standard Seven - Library & Information Resources
Projections Improve Library strategic, operational, and financial planning by identifying and collecting additional documentation of user satisfaction and program effectiveness over the three year period beginning with FY2008	Responsible Staff Library Director	Completion Date FY 2008 -FY 2011
Advocate for increased funding and seek to ensure consistency in funding by advocating on behalf of the Library in the annual budgeting process and by seeking grants on a regular basis.	Library Director and Professional staff	FY2008 and each year thereafter
Approach 2+2 partners to contribute additional financial support Library resources as contracts come up for renewal.	Library Director and Appropriate Dean	FY 2008-2013
Develop a plan for workstation expansion.	Library Director, Professional staff and Executive Director, OIT	FY 2008
Review staff requirements carefully on an ongoing basis to ensure that staffing remains adequate as Library resource usage and Information Literacy instruction continue to grow.	Library Director	FY 2008-2013
Expand efforts to work closely with the faculty to provide Information Literacy classes and workshops as needed.	Coordinators of Library Services (Public Services and Technical Services)	FY 2008-2013
Update "fair use" guidelines and copyright policies in response to changes in the copyright laws on an annual basis.	Library Director	FY 2008-2013
Contribute to College-wide efforts aimed at improving student information literacy competence. In FY2009 explore the use of pre- and post-assessments of information literacy.	Coordinators of Library Services (Public Servicesand Technical Services)	FY 2009
Collaborate with the Facilities Director in FY2008 to develop a 2-year plan to remove mold from the Library.	Library Director	FY 2008
Advocate increased funding to upgrade lighting, furnishings and access for handicapped users.	Library Director	FY 2008-2013
Director's Annual Report will be reviewed at mid-year with staff to ensure that goals are being met and to make adjustments as necessary.	Library Director and staff	FY 2008-2013
Seek additional funding to increase the available number of hours for the Instructional Technology Center.	Director of Online and Learning Technologies	FY 2008
Over the next 3 years encourage and provide assistance to faculty interested in developing hybrid courses as a pathway toward more online learning.	Director, Online and Learning Technologies	FY 2008-2011
Maintain and review online tutorials and FAQ's for Blackboard to encourage further development of online learning.	Director, Teaching and Learning Technologies	FY 2008
Secure funds and training resources necessary to support future distance learning and online course development. Online courses at Mass College Online will be recommended to fill gaps in The College's own online course offerings.	Director, Online and Learning Technologies	FY 2008-2011
Actively explore new technologies and techniques to maintain the performance of IT support and the College's technology and communication infrastructure.	Executive Director, OIT	FY 2008-2013
Survey academic technology users periodically to ensure satisfaction with the technology base and level of support.	Executive Director, OIT	FY 2008-2013
Annually review appropriate Information technology use guidelines and policies for compliance and currency.	Executive Director, OIT	FY 2008-2013
Seek funds to maintain the appropriate infrastructure to support student IT activity.	Executive Director, OIT	FY 2008-2013
Confer with the Director of Institutional Research to capture relevant data to improve OIT planning and quality assurance.	Executive Director, OIT	FY 2008-2013
Organize an ad-hoc task force to review the College's electronic communications and create a College Electronic Communications Plan.	Executive Director, OIT	FY 2008
The Library, OLT, and OIT will coordinate their respective planning efforts in order to maintain a complementary and supportive teaching and learning environment for students and faculty	Executive Director, OIT Library Director Online and Learning Technologies Director	FY 2008-2013