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About the Library

Purpose Statement

RPCC Library Services exists to support the mission and goals of River Parishes Community College. Library Services provides the RPCC community with materials, resources, and instructional services necessary for excellence in teaching and learning.

Philosophy

Library Services staff members are dedicated to partnering with members of the RPCC community in providing responsive and effective access to materials, collections, facilities, equipment, technologies, resources, instruction, and learning opportunities necessary to obtain knowledge, skills, and information for personal, academic, and professional excellence.

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Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes

Each year, Library Services creates Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes in accordance with the RPCC’s Core College Initiatives (CCI). These are assessed at the end of each academic year for evaluation and improvement of resources, programs, and services. [2008-2009 Goals and Objectives and 2007-2008 Assessment Report for Library Services]

Overview of Current Collections and Services

Library Services has three library faculty and one civil service support staff to assist students and faculty in accessing and utilizing Library services and resources. Library Services has over 18,000 physical volumes and over 60,000 electronic books for the core collection as of spring 2009. The Library also provides access to over 70 databases of journal, newspaper, and reference articles via the state academic library consortia, LOUIS (The Louisiana Library Network). Videos, CD-ROMs, and some software are also available for the RPCC user community.


The collection continues to grow and includes broad coverage within subject areas and general reference titles to support students in their coursework at RPCC and to support and enhance the learning environment for our students and faculty. Skills building and tutorial resources are also available for various subjects.


Library Services also offers instruction in the use of library and information resources through orientation, course-integrated instruction, a one-credit Library Research course, and individual reference assistance. Other services include circulation, interlibrary borrowing from other libraries, student success workshops, and proctored testing services. Library Services maintains several partnerships with statewide and regional consortia to maximize the resources and services available to the RPCC community.

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History

On July 1, 1999 River Parishes Community College hired the first Director of Library Services and work toward building the collections and resources began immediately. During the early days of RPCC, Library Services closely partnered with Ascension Parish Public Library to provide access to academic databases and other library resources for students and faculty. This informal partnership was important for students and faculty to have access to library resources prior to the completion of the campus facilities. Although a physical campus was not yet in place, students and faculty were provided access to thousands of journals, magazine, and newspaper articles and various other resources via the online databases and the other resources at Ascension Parish Public Library.


From inception, Library Services has actively sought out and developed partnerships with faculty, other College service units, and partnering institutions and organizations with the goal of providing effective instruction in the use of library and information resources. Several instructional services such as orientation, course-integrated instruction, on individual research instruction have been an integral part of developing students’ library research skills and information literacy competencies. Library Services began creating policies in 1999 through 2000 in collaboration with the newly formed Library Advisory Committee. Also during that time, Library Services began implementing the statewide NOTIS library software system for circulation and cataloging functionality based on local circulation policies. Library Services also worked collaboratively with Academic and Financial Services in designing the physical layout of the Library as well as preparing bids for furniture, equipment, and the initial book collection. During this time the first book was donated, Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, from RPCC’s first Chancellor, Dr. Joe Ben Welch.


RPCC Library Services was accepted as a member of the LALINC (Louisiana Library Information Network Consortium) during the Fall of 1999. Also during the Fall of 1999, the Director visited with parish library directors and/or assistant directors in Ascension, Assumption, St. James, St. John the Baptist, and St. Charles parishes to establish a relationship with these libraries. During the same semester, Library Services developed a one-credit hour LIS course, Research Strategies and Electronic Resources, and created an initial web page for convenient access to LOUIS: the Louisiana Library Consortia databases and other resources via the College’s web site and began providing some tutoring services. Library Services was moved to the completed campus in November 1999.


In January 2000, RPCC became a member of the Online Computer Library Center: Southeastern Library Network (OCLC/SoliNet), providing the technology necessary for effective interlibrary loan and cataloging services. In January 2000 state funds became available to send out bids for library furniture, equipment, and an initial book collection. Instructional faculty collaborated with the Director of Library Services to complete a Library of Congress Subject Profile that outlined subject areas for acquisition of collections in support of the curricula and in accordance with the RPCC Library Collection Development Policy. In March of 2000, the Library Advisory Committee met to begin formally discussing tutoring services for students. Also in April of 2000, a second professional librarian position, Head of Technical Services, was added to assist with library acquisitions, cataloging, and collection preservation and maintenance. During June and July of 2000, the library furniture and equipment arrived and was installed. In addition to working on selections for the initial book collection, both librarians began actively providing library instruction in classes on campus as well for classes taught at St. James and Lutcher High Schools.


In January 2001, RPCC Library Services added another library faculty position, Head of Public Services, to coordinate instruction, circulation, interlibrary loan, and reference services for students and faculty. During the Spring 2001 semester, the Head of Technical Services worked closely with OCLC/SoliNet and a new book vendor to set up processes to receive collections. Also during Spring 2001, the Director of Library Services in collaboration with the Dean of Students began formally assessing students’ tutoring needs and tutoring services was expanded with the addition of two peer-tutors and the purchase of SkillsBank self-paced computer tutorial software. The Director of Library Services also co-authored a TRIO Dissemination Partnership (TDP) federal grant proposal through Northwestern State University to implement a college-wide mentoring program and to expand tutoring services. By June of 2001 library acquisitions included 3,627 books, 37 CDs, 3 VHS titles, and 30 print serial subscription titles, as well as the extensive electronic resources accessed via the LOUIS databases and the Internet. Additional shelving was added during June 2001 to accommodate rapid expansion of the library collection. In July 2001, the Director of Library Services, in collaboration with Academic Services, implemented a testing center service for make-up test and special needs test proctoring for full time and part time faculty. Temporary catalogers were added to assist with the influx of collections and a permanent civil service support staff was added to support the Head of Technical Services in cataloging, processing, preserving, and maintaining library collections.


In January 2002, Library Services migrated from the NOTIS library management software to the new statewide SIRSI software system. The new software provided updated cataloging, circulation, and course reserve functions. Also in the Spring of 2002, Library Services in collaboration with faculty and staff volunteers, created, organized, and facilitated Student Success Workshops throughout the semester. By the Fall of 2004, cataloged collections increased to over 12,000 physical items and over 35,000 electronic books.

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