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Library Services: SACS 3.8.1
Comprehensive Standard: Learning Resources and Services
Narrative and supporting documentation

RPCC Library Services provides facilities, services, and resources to support the College’s mission.

Description of Facilities/Equipment

Library Services offers RPCC users an opportunity to use equipment or occupy study areas housed in adjacent rooms in Building C on campus [See 3.8.1 (01) – 3.8.1 (03)]. Computers, a printer, a copier, tables and chairs, and other equipment are available for Library users, and professional librarians are present to assist with library resource and/or technology use during normal operational hours.

The Library (Room C124) and the Learning Resource Center (LRC) (Room C119) are wholly used and managed by Library Services. Technical Services staff occupy a portion of room C119 for material processing and cataloging activities. Public Services staff are located behind the Circulation Desk in room C124. A separate office is next to the Library for the Director of Library Services. Facilities are wheel-chair accessible.

A computer equipped classroom (Room C118) is also utilized by Library Services, which manages most uses of the room, but is a shared space with Instructional Services. Library Services conducts proctored testing, Student Success Workshops (SSW), and other instructional activities in the shared classroom [See 3.8.1 (04)].

Description of Resources

The Library houses a physical collection developed to support the programs and courses offered by RPCC. Over 16,500 physical volumes (including 2,600+ A/V items and 13,500+ print resources) are accessible for in-Library usage and/or circulation [See 3.8.1 (05)]. Support for RPCC students in need of physical items at remote locations is provided through interlibrary loan and by mail.

Access to over 60 electronic databases from 12 vendors is provided through consortia membership and by direct purchase [See 3.8.1 (06) – 3.8.1 (07)]. On and off-campus use of online resources, including the Library’s Catalog of physical resources, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the Library’s home page on the internet. A link to Library Services is on the RPCC home page. Valid users are authenticated via a proxy server and instructions pertaining to logging in are online and available as a print handout in the Library.

Library Services owns more than 45,000 electronic books and leases an additional 11,000 through NetLibrary. Access to e-books is via the internet from any location at any time [See 3.8.1 (08)].

Interlibrary loan agreements through consortia memberships (Solinet/OCLC and LALINC: Louisiana Academic Library Information Network Consortium) allow access to materials not owned by RPCC Library Services [See 3.8.1 (09)]. Requests for interlibrary loan and/or purchase of resources are welcome, and appropriate forms are available in print and online.

Description of Services

Library Services provides a variety of services for users, including circulation of materials, access to online resources via the Library web page, interlibrary loan services, instruction in accessing and using resources, reference services, course reserves, student workshops, and proctored testing [See 3.8.1 (10)]. Librarians encourage collaboration with instructional faculty in collection development and instructional activities.

Instruction in the use and access of all available resources is provided in face-to-face course-integrated instruction and orientation sessions, through print handouts, online via tutorials and printable instructions, and in Student Success Workshops. Teaching faculty members are kept informed about Library services and resources during regularly scheduled faculty meetings, email, and via print flyers. Point of use instruction for using resources and technology is available in the Library and via email or telephone for remote users during regular operating hours [See 3.8.1 (11) – 3.8.1 (13)].

Annual and on-going assessment of services, resources, and facilities provides information for improvement in the form of user feedback and usage statistics [See 3.8.1 (14) – 3.8.1 (17)].

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

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