| Bill Hyman | Chair, Associate Professor of Health |
| Coordinator, Health Program | |
| Richard Eglsaer | Executive Chair |
| Professor of Psychology | |
| Rob Adams | Editor |
| Professor of English | |
| Brad Bauer | Assistant Director, Department of Recreational Sports and Activities |
| Leonard Breen | Associate Professor of Education |
| Kim Buzbee | Student |
| Jan Carroll | Lecturer of Computing Science |
| Marsha Harman | Assistant Professor of Education |
| Gerald Kohers | Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems |
| Phillip Lyons | Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice |
| Deborah Phelps | Assistant Professor of English |
INTRODUCTION
FINDINGS OF THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE
5.1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 5.1.1
5.1.2 SERVICES
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 5.1.2
5.1.3 COLLECTIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 5.1.3
5.1.4 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 5.1.4
5.1.5 COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 5.1.5
5.1.6 LIBRARY STAFFING
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 5.1.6
5.1.7 LIBRARY/LEARNING RESOURCES FOR DISTANCE LEARNING ACTIVITIES
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 5.1.7
COMPLIANCE TABLES: SECTIONS 5.1.1—5.1.7
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTIONS 5.1.1—5.1.7
The Newton Gresham Library (NGL) at Sam Houston State University serves a critical role in providing educational support services to all university constituents. The services and resources of the library contribute to the intellectual health of the University by supporting faculty, staff, students, visiting scholars, residents, and others in pursuing their departmental, college, and university curricular, administrative, and scholarly goals. This section of the self-study, the result of an investigation of those services and resources, documents the degree to which the library supports the purpose of the institution.
Located centrally on the campus, Newton Gresham Library is visited by an average of 7,591 users in a typical week. The library contains approximately 810,551 books and bound periodical volumes and maintains approximately 3,191 periodical and serial subscriptions. The total operating expenditures of the library in 1997 were $2,239,032. Additional information about the library and its services appears in the 1998-2000 Undergraduate Catalogue (74-75) and the 1997-1999 Graduate Catalogue (17-18).
The following sections report the Library Committee’s findings in the seven major areas outlined in Section 5.1 of the SACS Criteria for Accreditation: Purpose and Scope (5.1.1); Services (5.1.2); Library Collections (5.1.3); Information Technology (5.1.4); Cooperative Agreements (5.1.5); Staff (5.1.6); and Library/Learning Resources for Distance Learning Activities (5.1.7). The Committee addresses "must" statements from each of the sections and, in the order in which the statements appear in the Criteria, reports on the University’s compliance or noncompliance with these imperatives. Following each series of "must" statements and findings, the Committee makes recommendations and/or offers suggestions, according to the University’s compliance status.
1. Each institution must ensure that adequate library and other learning resources and services are available to all faculty members and enrolled students wherever the programs or courses are located and however they are delivered (Criteria 56).
The Library Committee determined that Sam Houston State University complies with this imperative.
The Newton Gresham Library is a curriculum-based facility that seeks to meet the needs of the various academic programs offered by the University. At present, the University is evolving from a single-campus facility to one in which programs and courses are offered off campus at satellite campuses or electronically to off-campus distance learners. The library staff evaluates the needs of these new students so as to be in a position to offer all students adequate library services.
The Newton Gresham Library provides users on campus with adequate library and learning resources. However, with the emergence of satellite campuses and distance learning programs, new constituents must be accommodated. The library faculty have examined ways in which services can be provided to these non traditional programs and students. Specifically, electronic licenses have been expanded, where possible, to allow for students off campus to share in programs currently available. Furthermore, the library now participates in a statewide courier service for the delivery of books and other materials to its satellite campuses and distance learners. The Newton Gresham Library has recently developed a policy statement for distance learning programs (included among the addenda to the self-study report).
2. Each institution must develop a purpose statement for its library and other learning resources services (Criteria 56).
The Library Committee determined that Sam Houston State University complies with this imperative.
The faculty and staff at the Newton Gresham Library have developed a mission statement that also embraces a vision and goal statement. These three statements form the basis of the library’s annual evaluation:
Mission Statement
[The Newton Gresham Library seeks to] meet and anticipate the institutional, research, and service needs of the Sam Houston State University community by providing effective access to a global and dynamic array of print, electronic, and other resources and by continuously improving the effectiveness of its bibliographic, instructional, and reference functions.
Vision Statement
The Newton Gresham Library faculty and staff envision a library which supports and encourages the development of critically thinking, educated, and informed life-long learners.
Goal Statement
[The Newton Gresham Library seeks to] provide the resources and services that enable the Newton Gresham Library faculty and staff to meet the library’s mission in an effective, timely, courteous, and efficient manner.
Like the Newton Gresham Library, the Learning Assistance Center, housed in the library, has defined its mission in a formal statement:
[The Learning Assistance Center is designed to] complement specific developmental course instruction in support of the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) to enable students to meet or exceed TASP requirements through tutorials and computer-assisted instruction.
3. The library and other learning resources must be evaluated regularly and systematically to ensure that they are meeting the needs of their users and are supporting the programs and purpose of the institution (Criteria 56).
The Library Committee determined that Sam Houston State University complies with this imperative.
The faculty and staff of the Newton Gresham Library conduct an annual evaluation of resources and services. Input is solicited from faculty and students to determine whether the library is meeting the needs of its community. In addition, input from faculty is provided by the annual Faculty Senate Survey, which gathers data concerning the general level of faculty satisfaction with library services.
In conducting their annual evaluation, the faculty and staff of the Newton Gresham Library employ the standards of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association. The Conspectus, which is used nationally as an instrument and standard for library assessment, is used to appraise library collections both quantitatively and qualitatively. The Conspectus is endorsed by the Association of Research Libraries and the American Library Association.
The efficiency of the library in meeting the needs of its users is addressed throughout this report.
4. Learning resources and services must be adequate to support the needs of users (Criteria 56).
5. These considerations must be taken into account in evaluating the effectiveness of the library and learning resource support: quality, relevance, accessibility, availability, delivery of resources and services, and their actual use by students, regardless of location (Criteria 56).
The Library Committee determined that Sam Houston State University complies partially with the first of these two imperatives and fully with the second.
In assessing the adequacy of the Newton Gresham Library, the staff measures the library against national standards (as determined by the ACRL), monitors which resources are being used (by way of user surveys), and assesses the attitudes of both faculty and students alike. In addition, when the Conspectus assessments reveal inadequacies in the collection, every attempt is made to fill those gaps by all subject specialists throughout the fiscal year.
The SACS Self-Study survey data suggest that with the exception of journals holdings, the faculty tend to be pleased with the library’s resources. Of 202 faculty members surveyed, 127 (63%) felt that the SHSU library met their academic needs; 41 faculty members (21%) reported that they were dissatisfied. While 59 faculty members (29%) reported that their research needs were not met by the library, 102 professors (51%) reported that their research needs were, in fact, met by the library. (See Tables 5.1.1.a and 5.1.1.b, below.) The majority of the faculty also agreed that the library provides adequate hours (65%), adequate space (58%), and an adequate study environment (61%). Although a majority of the faculty is pleased with most services and resources, there was noticeable dissatisfaction (41%) expressed discontent with the library’s journals holdings.
Like the faculty, students strongly endorsed the adequacy of the library in meeting their academic (73%) and research (71%) needs. (See Tables 5.1.1.a and 5.1.1.b, below.) The majority of students (60%) and faculty (74%) reported that they were satisfied with assistance the library provides to its patrons.
Table 5.1.1.a
Faculty and Student Attitudes as to Whether or Not the Library is Meeting Their Academic Needs: Faculty and Student Surveys
Response to statement: "The Newton Gresham Library meets my academic needs."
| Response Category | Undergraduate | Graduate | All Students | Faculty | |||||
| Number | Percent | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | ||
| Disagree/Dis-agree Strongly | 68 | 9% | 4 | 19% | 72 | 9% | 41 | 20% | |
| Agree/Agree Strongly | 553 | 74% | 12 | 57% | 565 | 73% | 127 | 63% | |
| No Opinion/ NA | 130 | 17% | 5 | 24% | 135 | 17% | 34 | 17% | |
| Total | 751 | 100% | 21 | 100% | 772 | 100% | 202 | 100% | |
Table 5.1.1.b
Faculty and Student Attitudes as to Whether or Not the Library is Meeting Their Research Needs: Faculty and Student Surveys
Response to statement: "The Newton Gresham Library meets my research needs."
| Response Category | Undergraduate | Graduate | All Students | Faculty | |||||
| Number | Percent | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | ||
| Disagree/Dis-agree Strongly | 78 | 10% | 5 | 24% | 83 | 11% | 59 | 29% | |
| Agree/Agree Strongly | 539 | 72% | 11 | 52% | 550 | 71% | 102 | 51% | |
| No Opinion/ NA | 135 | 18% | 5 | 24% | 140 | 18% | 41 | 20% | |
| Total | 752 | 100% | 21 | 100% | 773 | 100% | 202 | 100% | |
The library’s annual self-evaluation reported deficiencies in the area of computer software, audio-visual materials, and 3-D materials. These deficiencies appear to be related to both budget and space. There is, for example, no place available to view audio-visual materials. Although there are computers available to view CD-ROMs, there are no facilities set aside that would allow a user to view a CD-ROM that had a multi media presentation.
6. Priorities for acquiring materials and establishing services must be determined with the needs of users in mind (Criteria 56).
The Library Committee determined that Sam Houston State University complies with this imperative.
Responding to the needs of faculty and students on the Huntsville campus, the Newton Gresham Library has been exemplary in its efforts to provide users with adequate services. A library bibliographer is assigned to each department; the department, in turn, designates a liaison from within its own body. This structure allows library bibliographers and departmental liaisons to discuss curricular and research needs. This arrangement facilitates the processing of departmental recommendations. When a faculty member requests a new journal, for example, she or he discusses the request with a library bibliographer to determine its feasibility. Such negotiations may include discussions of current journals that may have outlived their usefulness to a particular department.
When discontinuation of a journal is contemplated, the affected departments are consulted. On a recent survey, eighteen of twenty-eight departmental chairs/coordinators (64%) reported that they were satisfied with the library’s efforts to keep them informed of decisions relating to holdings in their academic areas.
The Library Committee found that the University complies fully with all but one of the imperatives in Section 5.1.1 of the Criteria. To address the instance of noncompliance, the Committee makes the following recommendation:
To correct deficiencies identified by its annual self-evaluation, the Newton Gresham Library must improve its holdings of journals, computer software, and audio-visual and 3-D materials.
Furthermore, the Committee makes the following suggestion:
Departmental bibliographers and liaisons should survey the faculty to determine the nature of their dissatisfaction with the Newton Gresham Library’s journals holdings.
1. Each institution must ensure that all students and faculty members have access to a broad range of learning resources to support its purpose and programs at both primary and distance learning sites (Criteria 56).
The Library Committee determined that Sam Houston State University complies with this imperative.
The Newton Gresham Library provides access to a broad range of learning resources. The library is considered a non-research level library, a designation indicating that materials are selected to support the University’s curriculum rather than the array of conference proceedings, dissertations, scholarly foreign-language materials, and post-doctoral titles that might be necessary to meet the scholarly needs of faculty. Scholarly needs are met instead through services such as Interlibrary Loan and other document delivery systems to which the library subscribes. Distance learners are able to access the Newton Gresham Library by telephone and Internet. Only students living outside a forty-mile radius and enrolled exclusively in off-campus courses are recognized as distance learners. Service fees are shared by the library and the distance learner. For security reasons, students enrolled in courses at Texas Department of Criminal Justice are unable to take advantage of library services without the limited special permission of the State of Texas.
2. Basic library services must include an orientation program designed to teach new users how to access bibliographic information and other learning resources (Criteria 56).
The Committee determined that the University complies with this criterion.
The Newton Gresham Library provides users with a program of instructional services designed to develop information retrieval and library research skills. A number of instructional options are available:
a. Printed instructional materials are available at the reference desk and at all special collections locations; these publications describe services and collections, listing specific reference works on a variety of subjects and explaining how to use particular resources.
b. Course-related instruction is offered for specific library resources and strategies needed to complete course assignments.
c. Topical seminars focus on specific research/information sources and services, including Carl Uncover and FirstSearch seminars.
d. Subject-specialist librarians offer individual consultations to discuss search strategies and resources appropriate to a particular topic.
e. Orientation sessions are presented to any group upon request. In 1996-1997, 150 such orientation sessions were conducted for various user groups; 3,472 individuals attended these orientation sessions. (Annual Report and User Services Annual Report)
In addition to the traditional orientation sessions, an on-line tour is available by way of the Newton Gresham Library home page (www.shsu.edu/~lib_ www/). While specific instruction is limited, the tour does provide a basic orientation to the facility as well as its services and policies.
3. Libraries and learning resource centers must provide students with opportunities to learn how to access information in different formats so they can continue life-long learning (Criteria 57).
The Committee found that Sam Houston State University complies with this imperative.
The following formats are available for accessing information:
a. print indexes and bibliographies
b. electronic databases
c. micro format storage
d. multi media
e. cartographic formats
As reported above, user education programs are available on request.
4. Librarians must work cooperatively with faculty members and other information providers in assisting students to use resource materials effectively (Criteria 57).
The Library Committee determined that Sam Houston State University complies with this imperative.
Any faculty member at Sam Houston State University may at any time submit a "User Education Request Form" or may make arrangements by phone to schedule an instructional session or a general building tour. The instructor may specify the resources to be included in the session. Instruction is available in the use of on-line services, printed indexes, CD-ROM indexes, on-line catalog, serial holdings, periodical abstracts, newspaper indexes, and micro forms. An introduction to developing research strategies is also included as part of the session.
The faculty survey conducted for the self-study indicated that 63% of the faculty are satisfied with the library’s willingness to support them in teaching course-specific resources. Only 5% reported dissatisfaction.
5. Adequate hours must be maintained to ensure accessibility to users (Criteria 57).
The Committee determined that Sam Houston State University complies with this criterion.
The Newton Gresham Library is open a total of 88.5 hours per week during regular academic semesters. The regular operating hours are
Monday-Thursday7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
During interim sessions, the library provides access to collections from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays (except when the University is officially closed). Reference librarians are on duty for point-of-use instruction during all operating hours. The Thomason Room, which holds special collections, is open Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by appointment. The Peabody Library, which serves as an archival research center and museum of the history of Sam Houston State University, is open from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by appointment. The Peabody Collection, which [relates to] the history of SHSU, is non-circulating.
The SHSU Self-Study survey conducted in the spring of 1998 indicated that 69% of students and 65% of faculty either agreed or strongly agreed that the library’s hours of operation met their needs, whereas 17% of the students and 21% of the faculty either disagreed or strongly disagreed. These data suggest that although some patrons would prefer additional hours of operation, the Newton Gresham Library operating hours meet the needs of most faculty and student users.
6. Library collections must be catalogued and organized in an orderly, easily accessible arrangement following national bibliographical standards and conventions (Criteria 57).
The Committee found that Sam Houston State University complies with this imperative.
All collections of the Newton Gresham Library are catalogued according to Anglo-American rules using the MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging) format. The Library of Congress classification system is used for all this material. Children’s literature and young-adult literature use a modified form of the Dewey Decimal system. Government documents are classified according to the Superintendent of Documents classification system.
In order to assess the shelving, cataloging, condition, and value of the collection, at least once each semester librarians randomly select a sample of items for investigation. The following excerpt from the 1995-1996 Newton Gresham Library Assessment Report summarizes the findings:
Analysis indicates that, in the aggregate, 230 of 237 items among the library collections were shelved properly. This is a slight improvement over previous years, and continues a trend of improvement over 1990-1992, when complaints were frequently brought to the Director’s office or librarians. A small percentage (3/200 or 1.5%) of those materials allowed to circulate were checked out at the time of the sample. Seven of the 237 books or other items (2.97%) could not be located, continuing an improvement over previous years. This means that patrons should be increasingly successful at finding materials on library shelves.
The survey of cataloging and processing reflects correctness and consistency over the history of the library. All details of 219 or the 228 pieces examined were correctly shown in the computer catalog; 3.95% (9 of 228) contained errors ranging from an incorrect description to sloppy processing. A Cataloging Unit assessment of recent cataloging processing found 100% correctness, but 12% (7 of 58) had processing errors. This means that there is inconsistency in the physical preparation for shelving, an area that needs attention by Cataloging Unit management. (Newton Gresham Library Assessment Report 20)
7. Students and faculty must be provided convenient, effective access to library resources needed in their programs (Criteria 57).
8. Convenient, effective access to electronic bibliographical databases, whether on-site or remote, must be provided when necessary to support academic programs (Criteria 57).
The Library Committee determined that Sam Houston State University complies with both of these criteria.
Students and faculty are provided access to a wide variety of resources, as addressed throughout this report. As part of its array of services, the Newton Gresham Library provides access to electronic bibliographical databases, both on campus and at remote sites. Table 5.1.2.a provides an inventory of the current electronic databases available through the library:
Table 5.1.2.a
Electronic Databases Available through the Newton Gresham Library
| Database | Description | Location |
| UMI ABI-INFORM | Business & Management Periodicals | TexShare (Network) |
| Beacham International Endangered Species | Reports from Researchers and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service | Reference |
| CD NewsBank | Articles from Newspapers & Wire Services. | Reference |
| CARL UNCOVER | Article Access Service | Internet (SAMINFO) |
| The Civil War: A Newspaper Perspective | Articles, Maps, Illustrations from East Coast Newspapers | Network |
| College Source | Access to Nearly 2,800 College Catalogues | Reference |
| Compact Disclosure | Financial and Management Information | Reference |
| COMPUTING ARCHIVE | Coverage of the World’s English Language Computing Literature | Reference |
| Criminal Justice Abstracts | Access to 50 Key Journals in Criminal Justice & 200 Multidisciplinary Journals | Network |
| ERIC | Bibliographic Databases Related to Education | Network |
| First Search | Accesses Subject-Specific Databases from AGRICOLA and MLA to WorldCat | Internet (SAMINFO) |
| Health & Psychosocial Instruments | Information about Research and Survey Instruments | Reference |
| Marcive GPO CAT/PAC | Access to Government Documents Published Since 1976 | Government Documents |
| McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia - Science & Technology | Information on Scientific Topics from Agriculture to Zoology | Reference |
| NCJRS Databases | Citations and Abstracts of Numerous Criminal Justice Publications | Network |
| OCLC/Migos Collection Analysis | Tool for Collection Development and Evaluation | Technical Services |
| Oxford English Dictionary | Instant Search for Every Occurrence of One or More Specified Words, etc. | Reference |
| PsychLit | Citations & Abstracts of International Journal Articles in Psychology and Related Disciplines | Network |
| SEC ONLINE | Provides Full Text for Selected Stock Markets | Reference |
| Sociofile | Citations and Abstracts from International Journals in Sociology and Related Disciplines | Network |
| Standard Federal Tax Reports | Contains Full-Text of IRS Code, Regulations, & Court Rulings and Explanations | Network |
| Texas News File | Full-Text Retrieval of Information on Important Issues, Events, & Personalities in Texas from Newspapers within and without the State | Reference |
| Title Source | Database of U.S., U.K., & Australian Book and Media Titles | Technical Services |
| Ulrich’s Plus | Contains Directory, Serials, Annuals, Updates for Numerous Periodicals and Publishers | Technical Services |
| World Book | Full Text of World Book Encyclopedia & Dictionaries | Network |
9. Libraries and other learning resource centers must have adequate physical facilities to house, service, and make library collections easily available; modern equipment in good condition for using print and non-print materials; provision for interlibrary loan services designed to ensure timely delivery of materials; and efficient and appropriate circulation systems (Criteria 57).
The Library Committee determined that Sam Houston State University partially complies with this imperative.
Physical Facilities
The Newton Gresham Library, centrally located on the SHSU campus, contains four levels and a total of 105,919 square feet of operating space (THECB 1996 Facilities Fact Book). Physical facilities of the library also include the Thomason Room (special collections), fifty-five study carrels, a music listening room, two group study rooms and additional meeting space, archive storage, micro forms area, copy center, government documents archives, the Learning Assistance Center, a staff lounge, space to handle receiving and binding, a multi media lab, technical services area, and administrative offices.
Seating space in the Newton Gresham Library is adequate as the library provides seating for over 1,100 users, approximately 8.6% of the SHSU enrollment. However, shelving and storage space appears inadequate. For example, space does not allow multi media CD-ROMs to be placed in a location in which guides and assistance may be obtained by users. Instead, CD-ROMs are placed on faculty reserve at the main circulation desk. Furthermore, ongoing culling of the library’s collections is necessary in order to maintain adequate shelf space. Thousands of duplicate copies, old editions, and single titles have been discarded annually since 1993.
Calculations of space needed by the Newton Gresham Library have yielded different results. Using Standard 6, Formula C of the ACRL, the predicted space needs for the library are as follows:
for collections 109,292 square feet, for users 64, 594 square feet, for staff 21,736 square feet, total space need 195,622 square feet Compared to an actual square footage of 105,919 square feet, the resulting shortage is 89,703 square feet. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s 1996 Facilities Fact Book predicts the space needs of the library to be 132,163 square feet, resulting in a space deficit of 26,244 square feet. According to both prediction models, therefore, the space of the Newton Gresham Library is inadequate, and the institution does not fully comply with the "must" statement.
Equipment
The library provides public access to up-to-date equipment, including a public fax machine, twelve photocopy machines, six typewriters, four micro form reader/printers, three microfilm readers, two micro fiche readers, thirteen VAX terminals, and fifteen personal computing stations. To meet the needs of ADA students, special equipment is provided, including Bridgestone and Open Eyes, which are available on two PCs in the library. A scanner, monitor, and Braille printer are also available. All equipment is under service contract in order to keep it in good working order.
The 1998 SACS Self-Study survey indicated that both faculty and students were generally satisfied with the availability of library equipment; however, a considerable number of students expressed dissatisfaction with computer workstation availability. (See Tables 5.1.2.b and 5.1.2.c.) Although it is assumed that this dissatisfaction arises chiefly from a desire for more computer workstations to perform non-library tasks such as word processing and electronic mail, the library staff may wish to determine the specific source of this dissatisfaction in future user surveys.
Table 5.1.2.b
Faculty Attitudes Concerning the Adequacy of the Library’s Services.
Response to statement: "I am satisfied with the library’s . . . ."
| Area of Service | Disagree | Agree | No Opinion/NA |
| Copy Machines | 11.9% | 41.7% | 46.6% |
| Micro fiche Access | 5.5% | 48.5% | 46.1% |
| Computer Terminal Access | 13.9% | 53.0% | 33.2% |
| Interlibrary Loan | 7.9% | 73.2% | 18.7% |
| On-line Catalogue System | 10.4% | 69.4% | 20.3% |
| Check-out Policies | 5.5% | 78.3% | 15.4% |
| Electronic Databases | 12.9% | 60.4% | 26.7% |
| Building | 8.4% | 72.1% | 18.8% |
| Books | 22.3% | 52.0% | 25.8% |
| Journals | 40.7% | 37.6% | 21.8% |
| Support Services | 6.0% | 66.4% | 27.7% |
| Hours | 16.8% | 60.9% | 22.3% |
| Assistance in Teaching | 5.0% | 62.9% | 32.2% |
Table 5.1.2.c
Student Attitudes Concerning the Adequacy of the Library’s Services
Response to statement: "The following library services adequately meet my needs: "
| Area of Service | Disagree | Agree | No Opinion/NA |
| Study Space | 5.1% | 80.3% | 14.6% |
| Study Environment | 4.7% | 81.0% | 14.3% |
| Computer Availability | 40.5% | 41.2% | 18.2% |
| Copy Machine Availability | 10.3% | 72.0% | 17.7% |
| Micro fiche | 4.7% | 54.2% | 41.2% |
| Interlibrary Loan | 4.8% | 43.3% | 51.9% |
| Circulation System | 6.1% | 68.7% | 25.3% |
| Electronic Databases | 6.7% | 59.2% | 34.0% |
| Hours | 16.5% | 69.0% | 14.4% |
Interlibrary Loan Services
As cooperative resource sharing becomes more critical, the management of the library continues to pursue networking opportunities. As a member of AMIGOS, the Newton Gresham Library loans materials potentially to more than five hundred libraries in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. The library meets the resource-sharing and interlibrary loan standards of the ACRL, which encourages academic libraries to provide these services.
The Newton Gresham Library also participates in the Texas State Library’s resource sharing program to help meet the needs of public libraries and has remained an active member of the East Texas Consortium of Libraries, the Forest Trails Library Consortium, and Rural 2000. The last of these is an educational consortium that includes over seventy school districts, eight institutions of higher education, and twenty-five public libraries.
The interlibrary loan office is located on the second floor of the Newton Gresham Library. While loan request materials are available as hard copy, they are also available in on-line format. In 1996, Interlibrary Loan provided 5,078 documents to other libraries, and received 6,551 documents. The self-study survey revealed a high level of faculty and student satisfaction with interlibrary loan services. Among faculty, 73% indicated satisfaction, while only 8% registered displeasure; among students, 43% were satisfied and only 5% dissatisfied. The remainder of students and faculty were neutral on this topic.
The amount of time needed to obtain a book or article varies according to availability. For each interlibrary loan request, a string of five libraries is designated for the document search. As each library responds that the article is not available for loan, the next library is contacted. If the first library responds and the document is appropriate for electronic delivery through ARIEL (the software used for interlibrary loan processing), the document may be received in less than three days. If there is no positive response until the fifth library, the process can take over two weeks.
The library has a firm policy in place designed to ensure responsible borrowing and prompt return of materials borrowed from other libraries. If borrowers do not return materials by the specified due date, they are notified by a postcard or phone call. If borrowed items are still not returned by the ninth day after the specified due date, library privileges are suspended until the items are returned and fines are paid.
Circulation
Circulation policies ensure the efficient and appropriate use of Newton Gresham Library resources. The loan period of circulating material is two weeks for undergraduate students, twenty-eight days for graduate students, and one semester for faculty and staff. All material is subject to recall if needed by others after the initial loan period of two weeks. Undergraduates may borrow up to twenty-five books at one time, graduate students may borrow up to thirty-five books, and faculty and staff may borrow up to fifty books. Graduate students or faculty members working on specific research projects may request permission to check out additional materials.
On September 1, 1996, in an effort to provide more flexible service to the University’s faculty and staff, the library began renewing books by telephone in December and August (that is, beyond the customary semester-long faculty and staff loan period). Books must be presented to the Circulation Desk in May.
The Newton Gresham Library also makes its resources available to individuals not affiliated with the University. Such individuals can use library resources in the library building or can purchase, at an annual fee of $20 apiece, courtesy cards which allow them to check out materials for a loan period of two weeks.
The Library Committee found that the University complies fully with all but one of the "must" statements in Section 5.1.2 of the Criteria. To address the instance of noncompliance, the Committee makes the following recommendation:
The University must make more space available to the Newton Gresham Library.
Furthermore, the Committee makes the following suggestions:
The Newton Gresham Library staff should explore in greater depth the degree of satisfaction with the library’s hours of operations.
The library staff should survey users to determine how satisfied they are with the availability of computer workstations.
1. Institutions must provide access to essential references and specialized program resources for each instructional location (Criteria 58).
2. Access to the library collection must be sufficient to support the educational, research, and public service programs of the institution (Criteria 58).
The Library Committee determined that Sam Houston State University complies with these imperatives.
The Newton Gresham Library provides adequate access to essential references and specialized program resources for each instructional location. Moreover, it seems clear that access is sufficient to support the educational, research, and public service programs of the institution. Access is available through the on-line catalog with check-out privileges for registered library users, numerous electronic databases such as ERIC and FirstSearch (accessible both in building and via campus network as well as dial-up), interlibrary loan privileges, and special loan programs for distance learners.
In terms of holdings, Sam Houston State University remains within ACRL guidelines. In 1995, when SHSU offered a single doctoral program, the Newton Gresham Library, with holdings of 775,000 documents, far exceeded ACRL standards of 441,000 for collection size. Although the addition of two new doctoral programs has invoked higher ACRL standards, the library’s current holdings of 810,551 represent 97% of the recommended holdings of 835,801. At least in terms of size, this collection would merit a grade of A according to ACRL standards. While SHSU clearly falls within the guidelines in terms of collection size, ACRL standards do not address the quality of the holdings. Given the faculty’s displeasure with journals holdings, librarians should determine where deficiencies exist.
The Library Committee finds that the Newton Gresham Library’s materials budget is inadequate for a library collection supporting three doctoral programs (Interview with NGL Director). The library’s budget (2.2% of the total educational and general budget for SHSU) falls behind the national average among universities (3.5%) and even further behind the figure recommended by ACRL (6%). In order to return the library to the national average, the SHSU Budget Committee has recommended a plan to increase library funding over a three-year period. Assuming that enhanced funds become available, collections, specifically journals holdings, must be a clear priority in future Newton Gresham Library planning.
3. The collections of print and non-print materials must be well organized (Criteria 58).
The Committee determined that the University complies with this imperative.
The print and non-print collections are, in general, well organized, with most materials being catalogued under Anglo-American conventions and Library of Congress numbers (cf. Section 5.1.2). This system includes the special materials in the Thomason collection. Some archival materials in the Newton Gresham Library, as well as some local collections and archival materials in the Peabody Collection, remain to be catalogued.
4. Institutions offering graduate work must provide library resources substantially beyond those required for baccalaureate programs (Criteria 58).
The Committee determined that, with the exception of the lack of adequate journals holdings, addressed in Sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.5 of this report, the University complies with this criterion.
Dissatisfaction with journals holdings suggests that the Newton Gresham Library does not provide resources for graduate students which substantially exceed those required for undergraduate work. Commercial document delivery and improved interlibrary loan services, as well as some new journal subscriptions, have been initiated to meet demand, but these services have not been a substitute for the print materials needed to support graduate programs. Other resources are adequate for graduate programs.
5. Librarians, teaching faculty and researchers must share in the development of collections, and the institution must establish policies defining their involvement (Criteria 58).
The Committee determined that the University complies with this imperative.
On the SACS Self-Study chairs’ survey, 64% of chairs reported being satisfied that the Newton Gresham Library staff make adequate efforts to consult with departmental liaisons regarding matters of acquisition and deletion of materials from the collection. Approximately 29% do not believe acquisitions consultation is adequate, and 7% are neutral.
6. Each library or learning resource center must have a policy governing resource material selection and elimination, and should have a procedure providing for the preservation, replacement or removal of deteriorating materials in the collection (Criteria 58).
The Committee determined that the University complies with this imperative.
Policies governing maintenance and deletion of materials from the collection are delineated in the Newton Gresham Library’s Annual Report and are followed closely in practice.
With the exception of the lack of adequate journals holdings, addressed in Sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.5 of this report, the Library Committee determined that the University complies with all of the imperatives in this section of the Criteria; therefore, the Committee makes no recommendations.
1. The institution must provide evidence that it is incorporating technological advances into its library and other learning resource operations (Criteria 58).
The Library Committee found that the University complies with this imperative.
The Newton Gresham Library has made the incorporation of technology one of its primary goals and responsibilities. The library’s mission statement, vision statement, and goal statement all reflect the necessity and importance of exploiting technology, both on and off campus; the 1997-98 Newton Gresham Library Environmental Scan and Assumptions further emphasizes this priority.
Sam Houston State University is a member of TexShare, a cooperative program designed to improve library service to students, faculty, and staff of Texas institutions of higher education. This program allows SHSU students, faculty, and staff direct, personal access to library materials not available in the Newton Gresham Library. The TexShare Library Card Program is currently limited to state-supported university libraries and community colleges.
The Newton Gresham Library maintains and offers a number of electronic resources (over twenty-five) for the students, faculty, and staff of SHSU. Evaluation and addition of new on-line services are ongoing processes at the library, and library staff continually investigate various ways of providing easy access to the electronic resources. Currently a number of the electronic resources are available by way of the Internet. (See Table 5.1.2.a for a complete listing and description of these resources.)
The Newton Gresham Library’s commitment to making use of technology is made evident by a number of the library’s policy documents. The library’s patrons seem well-satisfied with the efforts to provide improved access to information; in the recent SACS surveys, little displeasure with such services was expressed by either faculty (16%) or students (6%). (See Tables 5.1.1.a, 5.1.1.b, 5.1.2.b, and 5.1.2.c, above.)
Having determined that the University complies fully with the imperatives in this section, the Library Committee makes no recommendations.
1. Cooperative agreements with other libraries and agencies must not be used by institutions to avoid responsibility for providing adequate and readily accessible library resources and services (Criteria 58).
2. Cooperative agreements must be formalized and regularly evaluated (Criteria 58).
The Library Committee determined that the University complies with these criteria.
As stated in the library’s self-evaluation, the specialized and research level needs of faculty and graduate students are not being met entirely (Newton Gresham Library Annual Report, 1996). Journals holdings have decreased from a high of 3,820 in 1982 to the current level of just over 2,200 in 1997 (Table 5.1.5).
Table 5.1.5
Total Number of Periodicals Added, Canceled, and Maintained by the Library, 1982-1997
| Funding Year | Total Periodicals | Added Periodicals | Canceled Periodicals | Periodicals Allocations |
| 1982 | 3820 | $270,000.00 | ||
| 1985 | 3248 | 18 | 150 | $405,958.00 |
| 1986 | 3200 | 44 | 90 | $361,655.00 |
| 1987 | 3170 | 24 | 54 | $361,655.00 |
| 1988 | 2787 | 18 | 391 | $391,655.00 |
| 1989 | 2727 | 43 | 103 | $391,655.00 |
Total Number of Periodicals Added, Canceled, and Maintained by the Library, 1982-1997 (continued)
| Funding Year | Total Periodicals | Added Periodicals | Canceled Periodicals | Periodicals Allocations |
| 1990 | 2703 | 29 | 53 | $391,655.00 |
| 1991 | 2538 | 37 | 202 | $431,655.00 |
| 1992 | 2509 | 19 | 48 | $431,655.00 |
| 1993 | 2510 | 59 | 58 | $450,779.00 |
| 1994 | 2496 | 12 | 26 | $450,779.00 |
| 1995 | 2475 | 16 | 37 | $450,779.00 |
| 1996 | 2423 | 23 | 75 | $450,779.00 |
| 1997 | 2243 | 22 | 202 | $440,658.00 |
Correspondingly, while faculty are pleased with the library’s book holdings, many have expressed dissatisfaction with journals holdings. And graduate students report less satisfaction with the library than do undergraduate students. (See Tables 5.1.1.a and 5.1.1.b, above.)
Given this dissatisfaction, it follows that the journal needs of at least some faculty and graduate student users are being met by cooperative agreements. Specialized research needs continue to be met through the use of interlibrary loans, electronic means, and full-text article delivery.
The Newton Gresham Library benefits from cooperative agreements in collections borrowing with institutions licensed by AMIGOS, which has over five hundred libraries in a five-state area surrounding Texas. The Montgomery County Public Library, while not a member of AMIGOS, shares its collections with the SHSU library. The Newton Gresham Library also has an agreement with The University Center/Montgomery College Library because The University Center serves as a satellite campus of SHSU. Copies of all formal agreements can be found in the Interlibrary Loan office of the Newton Gresham Library. These agreements are evaluated annually.
Facing increasing costs of journals and lacking parallel increases in its budget, the library seeks to meet the needs of its users through cooperative agreements such as those cited above. The Library Committee feels that the library is not seeking to avoid responsibility for providing resources and services by using these cooperative agreements, but rather seeking creative solutions to meet user needs with existing resources.
Having determined that the University complies with the imperatives in this section of the Criteria, the Library Committee makes no recommendations.
1. Libraries and other learning resources must be adequately staffed by professionals who hold graduate degrees in library science or in related fields such as learning resources or information technology (Criteria 59).
2. In exceptional cases, outstanding professional experience and demonstrated competence may substitute for academic preparation of library staff; however, in such cases, the institution must justify the exceptions on an individual basis (Criteria 59).
3. The number of library support staff members must be adequate (Criteria 59).
4. Institutional policies concerning faculty status, salary, and contractual security for library personnel must be clearly defined and made known to all personnel at the time of employment (Criteria 59).
The Library Committee determined that the University complies partially with the first of these criteria and fully with the other three.
All members of the Newton Gresham Library staff hold appropriate professional credentials; therefore, the Committee notes no exceptional cases. The size of the library staff, however, is well below that recommended by ACRL. By ACRL standards, the library should provide over thirty librarians: In the fall of 1997, the Newton Gresham Library had 13.5 FTEs. This deficiency warrants an ACRL grade of F. Sam Houston State University also lags behind comparable regional institutions in Texas in terms of professional librarians employed (Table 5.1.6).
ACRL recommendations and comparisons with regional universities are not intended to be used as benchmarks to be attained, but simply as evidence of an inadequate number of professional librarians.
Table 5.1.6
Ratio of Students to Professional Library Staff at Lamar University, Sam Houston State University, and Stephen F. Austin State University1
| University | Professional Librarians | University Size | Ratio |
| Lamar University | 13.0 | 8,143 | 626:1 |
| Sam Houston State University | 13.5 | 12,702 | 941:1 |
| Stephen F. Austin State University | 16.0 | 12,056 | 754:1 |
1
Lamar University was chosen for comparison with Sam Houston State University because it has an equivalent number of librarians; Stephen F. Austin State University was chosen because it has a comparable student population.The ACRL also recommends a 2 to l ratio of support staff to professional librarians. The Newton Gresham Library currently employs twenty-six library support staff (66%) to assist the 13.5 professional librarians. Thus the library meets the ACRL standard ratio of paraprofessional to professional staff.
The recent student survey for SACS indicates that approximately 60% of respondents agree or strongly agree that the librarians do a commendable job of providing assistance. In the analogous faculty survey, approximately 63% of the faculty agree or strongly agree that the library does a good job of providing "course specific resources." Responses to the faculty survey also indicate a favorable view of library staff by a majority of respondents.
Institutional policies are clearly explained to library staff and made available to them through the Academic Policy Manual and The Faculty Handbook. In addition, all general library policies are available in the Newton Gresham Library mail room.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 5.1.6
Having found that the University complies only partially with the first of the four imperatives in this section of the Criteria, the Library Committee makes the following recommendation:
The Newton Gresham Library must take measures to increase the numbers of professional library staff.
1. For distance learning activities, an institution must ensure the provision of and ready access to adequate library/learning resources and services to support the courses, programs and degrees offered (Criteria 59).
The Library Committee found that the University complies with this imperative.
With the advent of satellite campuses and distance learning programs at Sam Houston State University, the Newton Gresham Library has broadened its resources and services to accommodate non traditional students. All resources currently available to on-campus users are available to off-campus users as well. The library service area for distance learners consists of a nine-county region outside of a forty-mile radius of Huntsville, Texas. The largest group of distance learners using these services are the SHSU Library Science students in the Rio Grande Valley. Any student outside the local area may access the following resources from the Newton Gresham Library:
Telephone access:
Interlibrary Loan
Circulation information
Reference information
Computer access:
Telnet and World Wide Web access to SAMINFO (which
provides a pathway to the Newton Gresham Library on-line catalogue)
TexShare copier service
CARL
ERIC database
First Search, and
Interlibrary Loan
All students enrolled in Sam Houston State University courses are eligible to use library resources and services upon presentation of a valid SHSU ID card. Remote access to the electronic resources of Newton Gresham Library is also available to enrolled students. A registered distance learner must complete the Newton Gresham Library Distance Education Services registration form. All policies governing the provision of library resources to distance learners are set forth in a document entitled Distance Education Services.
The library provides registered distance learners with reference and research assistance, instruction in the use of library resources, and delivery of books and photocopies. Registered users may request books and copies of journal articles and have them mailed.
Distance learners are encouraged to visit campus to use the many resources and services offered by the Newton Gresham Library. Assistance is available from the Reference Department to help answer questions, develop search strategies, and identify useful resources. Campus users have the advantage of being assisted by librarians and others who are knowledgeable about the resources housed in the library and can provide assistance and identify the most useful information resources. To the degree that available resources are adequate for on-campus learners, they are adequate for distance learners as well.
2. The institution must own the library/learning resources, provide access to electronic information available through existing technologies, or provide them through formal agreements (Criteria 59).
3. The institution must assign responsibility for providing library/learning resources and services and for ensuring continued access to them at each site (Criteria 59).
4. When formal agreements are established for the provision of library resources and services, they must ensure access to library resources pertinent to the programs offered by the institution and must include provision for services and resources which support the institution's specific programs, in the field of study and at the degree level offered (Criteria 59).
The Library Committee determined that the University complies fully with all three of these criteria. SHSU's distance learning policy is clearly stated in the NGL’s Distance Education Services, and formal agreements are in order.
Distance learners have access not only to materials owned by Sam Houston State University, but also to a wide variety of electronic databases and, by virtue of formal agreements with other institutions, to materials owned by other libraries. Formal agreements with other institutions are established for the purpose of supporting all programs at Sam Houston State University, including distance learning programs. Documentation for those formal agreements can be found in the Director’s Office or the Interlibrary Loan Office. Responsibility for providing library/learning resources and services to all users is assigned to the Director of the Newton Gresham Library.
Having determined that the University complies fully with all of the imperatives in this section of the Criteria, the Library Committee has no recommendations. The Committee makes the following suggestion, however:
Acknowledging that the technology involved in distance learning is rapidly expanding, the University should regularly evaluate its information resources services for distance learners.
| Imperative | Statement of Compliance | Supporting Documentation |
| 1. Each institution must ensure that adequate library and other learning resources and services are available to all faculty members and enrolled students wherever the programs or courses are located and however they are delivered. | Compliance | Library Subject Specialists Items A 8-10, B1a-i, and C1, Self-Study Student Survey Items 61-62, Self-Study Faculty Survey Item 8, Self-Study Chair Survey Distance Education Services Policy |
| 2. Each institution must develop a purpose statement for its library and other learning resources services. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Mission, Goal. and Vision Statements Learning Assistance Center’s Mission Statement |
| 3. The library and other learning resources must be evaluated regularly and systematically to ensure that they are meeting the needs of their users and are supporting the programs and purpose of the institution. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Annual Assessment User Survey Faculty Senate Survey Association of College and Research Libraries Standards |
| 4. Learning resources and services must be adequate to support the needs of users. | Partial Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Annual Assessment User Survey Faculty Senate Survey Association of College and Research Libraries Standards Items A 8-10, B1a-i, and C1, Self-Study Student Survey Items 61-62, Self-Study Faculty Survey |
| 5. These considerations must be taken into account in evaluating the effectiveness of the library and learning resource support: quality, relevance, accessibility, availability, delivery of resources and services, and their actual use by students, regardless of location. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Annual Assessment User Survey Faculty Senate Survey Association of College and Research Libraries Standards Items A 8-10, B1a-i, and C1, Self-Study Student Survey Items 61-62, Self-Study Faculty Survey |
| 6. Priorities for acquiring materials and establishing services must be determined with the needs of users in mind. | Compliance | Item 8, Self-Study Chair Survey Library Subject Specialists |
| Imperative | Statement of Compliance | Supporting Documentation |
| 1. Each institution must ensure that all students and faculty members have access to a broad range of learning resources to support its purpose and programs at both primary and distance learning sites. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Annual Report Newton Gresham Library Pathfinders Newton Gresham Library Fact Sheet Mission Statement in Annual Assessments Guidelines for Distance Education |
| 2. Basic library services must include an orientation program designed to teach new users how to access bibliographic information and other learning resources. | Compliance | "Library User Education" Newton Gresham Library Home Page Newton Gresham Library Annual Report |
| 3. Libraries and learning resource centers must provide students with opportunities to learn how to access information in different formats so that they can continue lifelong learning. | Compliance | Interview with Director and Assistant Director (March 1998) Item 21, 1995-1996 Newton Gresham Library Self-Study |
| 4. Librarians must work cooperatively with faculty members and other information providers in assisting students to use resource materials effectively. | Compliance | Self-Study Faculty Survey Item 22, 1995-1996 Newton Gresham Library Self-Study Newton Gresham Library Annual Report |
| 5. Adequate hours must be maintained to ensure accessibility to users. | Compliance | "Newton Gresham Library Fact Sheet" Self-Study Student Survey Self-Study Faculty Survey |
| 6. Library collections must be cataloged and organized in an orderly, easily accessible arrangement following national bibliographical standards and conventions. | Compliance | NGL Fact Sheet Item 20, 1995-1996 Newton Gresham Library Self-Study Newton Gresham Library Annual Report |
| 7. Students and faculty must be provided convenient, effective access to library resources needed in their programs. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Home Page "Newton Gresham Library Fact Sheet" Newton Gresham Library Annual Report Self-Study Student Survey Self-Study Faculty Survey |
| 8. Convenient, effective access to electronic bibliographic databases, whether on-site or remote, must be provided when necessary to support the academic programs. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Annual Report NGL Electronic Resources Licensing Agreements |
| 9. Libraries and other learning resource centers must have adequate physical facilities to house, service and make library services easily available; modern equipment in good condition for using print and non-print materials; provision for interlibrary loan services designed to ensure timely delivery of materials; and an efficient and appropriate circulation system. | Partial Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Annual Report "Newton Gresham Library Fact Sheet" The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 1996 Facilities Fact Book Association of College and Research Libraries Standard 6 Self-Study Student Survey Self-Study Faculty Survey Interlibrary Loan Documentation |
| Imperative | Statement of Compliance | Supporting Documentation |
| 1. Institutions must provide access to essential references and specialized program resources for each instructional location. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Annual Report |
| 2. Access to the library collection must be sufficient to support the educational, research, and public service programs of the institution. | Compliance | Interview with Director and Assistant Director (March 1998) Newton Gresham Library Annual Report Self-Study Faculty Survey |
| 3. The collections of print and non-print materials must be well organized. | Compliance | Personal Inspection Interview with Director and Assistant Director (March 1998) |
| 4. Institutions offering graduate work must provide library resources substantially beyond those required for baccalaureate programs. | Compliance | Self-Study Faculty Survey Self-Study Student Survey |
| 5. Librarians, teaching faculty and researchers must share in the development of collections, and the institution must establish policies defining their involvement. | Compliance | Self-Study Student Survey Self-Study Faculty Survey Newton Gresham Library Liaison Chart |
| 6. Each library or learning resource center must have a policy governing resource material selection and elimination, and should have a procedure providing for the preservation, replacement or removal of deteriorating materials in the collection. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Annual Report |
| Imperative | Statement of Compliance | Supporting Documentation |
| 1. The institution must provide evidence that it is incorporating technological advances into its library and other learning resource operations. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Mission, Goal. and Vision Statements Newton Gresham Library Environmental Scan & Assumptions Newton Gresham Library Electronic Resources Documentation Items 8-10, Question 1, Self-study Student Survey Items 61-62, Self-study Faculty Survey |
| Imperative | Statement of Compliance | Supporting Documentation |
| 1. Cooperative agreements with other libraries and agencies must not be used by institutions to avoid responsibility for providing adequate and readily accessible library resources and services. | Compliance | Distance Education Service Policy Self-Study Faculty Survey |
| 2. Cooperative agreements must be formalized and regularly evaluated. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Formal Agreement |
| Imperative | Statement of Compliance | Supporting Documentation |
| 1. Libraries and other learning resources must be adequately staffed by professionals who hold graduate degrees in library science or in related fields such as learning resources or information technology. | Partial Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Annual Report Interview with Director and Assistant Director (March 1998) 1997 Texas Academic Libraries Survey |
| 2. In exceptional cases, outstanding professional experience and demonstrated competence may substitute for academic preparation of library staff; however, in such cases, the institution must justify the exceptions on an individual basis. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Annual Report Interview with Director and Assistant Director (March 1998) |
| 3. The number of library support staff members must be adequate. | Compliance | Interview with Director and Assistant Director (March 1998) |
| 4. Institutional policies concerning faculty status, salary, and contractual security for library personnel must be clearly defined and made known to all personnel at the time of employment. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Annual Report Interview with Director and Assistant Director (March 1998) The Faculty Handbook (Academic Policy Statement 810814) |
| Imperative | Statement of Compliance | Supporting Documentation |
| 1. For distance learning activities, an institution must ensure the provision of and ready access to adequate library/learning resources and services to support the courses, programs and degrees offered. | Compliance | |
| 2. The institution must own the library/learning resources, provide access to electronic information available through existing technologies, or provide them through formal agreements. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Distance Education Services Policy Newton Gresham Library Formal Agreements |
| 3. The institution must assign responsibility for providing library/learning resources and services and for ensuring continued access to them at each site. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Distance Education Services Policy Resource Librarian Schedules |
| 4. When formal agreements are established for the provision of library resources and services, they must ensure access to library resources pertinent to the programs offered by the institution and must include provision for services and resources which support the institution's specific programs, in the field of study and at the degree level offered. | Compliance | Newton Gresham Library Distance Education Services Policy Newton Gresham Library Formal Agreements |
To correct deficiencies identified by its annual self-evaluation, the Newton Gresham Library must improve its holdings of journals, computer software, and audio-visual and 3-D materials.
The University must make more space available to the Newton Gresham Library.
The Newton Gresham Library must take measures to increase the numbers of professional library staff.
Departmental bibliographers and liaisons should survey the faculty to determine the nature of their dissatisfaction with the Newton Gresham Library’s journals holdings.
The Newton Gresham Library staff should explore in greater depth the degree of satisfaction with the library’s hours of operations.
The library staff should survey users to determine how satisfied they are with the availability of computer workstations.
Acknowledging that the technology involved in distance learning is rapidly expanding, the University should regularly evaluate its information resources services for distance learners.