Read the Curry College NEASC 2012 Self-Study Report.

69
Standard Seven: Library and Other Information Resources
Description
Since the last NEASC reaccreditation, library and information resources available at Curry
College have diversified in form and increased in extent. At the same time, focus has shifted to
the importance of assessing the value of available resources, not simply their quantity. This
complements an accelerated emphasis on information literacy skills, as detailed in the sections
below.
Resources and Access
The Levin Library, available on‐campus for 100 or more hours per week, is staffed by full and
part‐time Library faculty members, all of whom possess the terminal degree in the field (MLS,
MLIS, etc.), as specified in the Agreement between Curry College and the Curry College AAUP.
As of summer of 2011, Library Faculty comprised 8.5 FTE of the total staff, Library Staff
numbered 4.25 FTE, and Student Workers totaled 6.0 FTE, for a total of 18.75 FTE. This number
increased to 19.75 with the arrival of a new Library Director in September, 2011. cxlix
The Library provides resources for student learning and personal growth in traditional (physical)
and electronic formats as well as through Interlibrary Loan, widely used by the community.
Borrowing statistics have varied by year since 2006, ranging from 1,483 in that year to 1,824 in
2007. Approximately 1,500 items were borrowed in FY11 via Interlibrary Loan. cl LibGuides,
which combine access to journal articles, background information, and reliable web sites
related specifically to specific assignments, courses or disciplines, are a newer form of
information resource developed by Library faculty and staff, and others outside the Library. cli
Library faculty members provide instruction in the use and assessment of information
resources, both in person and online. Meetings with individual class sessions take two forms:
introductory sessions that familiarize students with basic library resources and services, and
course‐specific sessions that are frequently, but not exclusively, geared to upper level courses.
Faculty requesting the latter sessions generally have specific resources or assignments in mind,
and collaboration between teaching and Library faculty is often more evident in these sessions.
Although information literacy is included in the Library’s “Instruction Mission Statement,” clii this
focus gained strength in AY2009. Since then, Library faculty members, working with the
academic deans and faculty colleagues across the college, have carried out projects to
determine the best set of approaches for implementing information literacy instruction and
assessment at the institutional level.
Individual instruction is provided by reference librarians in person and online. Reference desk
assistance is available 64.5 hours per week, and e‐mail service is available during weekday
business hours. Students may also make individual appointments with reference librarians
through an additional service introduced in AY2011.
Curry College 2012 Self-Study
Standard Seven