ERIC ED354955: Austin Community College Learning Resource Services Strategic Plan, 1992-1997.

62 Pages·1992·1.4 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 354 955
JC 930 125
TITLE
Austin Community College Learning Resource Services
Strategic Plan, 1992-1997.
INSTITUTION
Austin Community Coll., Tex.
PUB DATE
92
NOTE
71p.; For the 1989 and 1990 Annual Reports on
Learning Resource Services, see ED 331 570.
PUB TYPE
Reports
Descriptive (141)
Tests/Evaluation
Instruments (160)
EDRS PRICE
MF01/PC03 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS
*Academic Libraries; College Planning; Community
Colleges; *Educational Technology; Evaluation
Methods; *Facility Planning; Facility Utilization
Research; *Learning Resources Centers; Long Range
Planning; *Mission Statements; Program Budgeting;
Program Content; *Program Evaluation; Resource
Materials; School Surveys; Two Year Colleges
IDENTIFIERS
*Austin Community College'TX
ABSTRACT
Designed as a planning tool and a statement of
philosophy and mission, this five-part strategic planning report
provides information on the activities, goals, and review
processes
of the Learning Resource Services (LRS) at Austin Community College
in Austin, Texas. The LRS combines library services,
access to
computer terminals, and other educational support services in
district Learning Resource Centers (LRC's). Following
an
introduction, the report reviews the LRS organizational structure,
indicating that full-service LRC's are operated at the college
district's three main campuses and at three extension
campuses, while
evening centers are maintained at four area high schools. Also
included are data on budget allocations for 1991 and patron
use and
acquisitions for 1988-1991, showing an increase of approximately 20%
in number of reference questions answered, hours of computer center
use, and circulation of audiovisual equipment from 1990 to 1991. The
next two sections of the report detail the LRS mission, goals, and
objectives for 1992, and present an action agenda for the future of
the LRS, covering the divisions of Library Services, Instructional
Technology, Instructional Development, and Technical Services. The
final section reviews the steps used in program evaluation, including
the annual distribution of surveys to LRS managers requesting
information on objectives completed during the preceding
year.
Appendixes include survey instruments for students, faculty, and
staff; a detailed explanation of operational imperatives; the
performance review and feedback instrument for LRS managers;
a
summary of environmental influences; LRS site maps; and accreditation
criteria. (PAA)
*****************************************************************
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
***********************************************************************
AUSTIN CONEVIUNITY COLLEGE
LEARNING RESOURCE SERVICES
Strategic Plan
1992-1997
Approved: LRS Management Team August 11, 1992
Approved: Academic Council September 29, 1992
STRATEGIC PLANNING TASK FORCE
1,0
Margaret Peloquin. MLIS
Head Librarian. RVS
Chair
0
Jeanette Cates. Ph.D.
Coordinator of Instructional Development
can
PERM L,SiON 70 REPRODUCE THIS
Sebiletso Matabane. Ph.D.
MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
U S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Coordinator of Instructional Technology
Othce of Educat.onal Resevcn and .rnoroveme-t
Iglehart_
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
CENTER (ERIC,
This document has been eo,oduced as
W. Lee Hisle. Ph.D.
,erceo,eci lec rr the cetsoh or organ.zat.on
0,gtna,tng .1
Director of Learning Resource Services
S
Xskno, changes have been maoe fc rprc.e
ewociuctoor
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
INFORMATION CENTER ERIC
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Learning Resource Services
Strategic Plan
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Executive Summary
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Austin Community College
1
Introduction
The Austin Community College Learning Resource Services
The LRS Strategic Plan is the result of many hours of work:
(LRS) Strategic Plan has been developed to provide:
surveys, interviews, retreats, and meetings. These efforts were
essential to the development of the heart of the Strategic Plan, the
a planning tool for future development of LRS services;
LRS Mission, Goals, and Objectives. These principles will
enable the LRS to sustain planned change and growth, as well as
a statement to place the LRS in context with the College
to continue to offer quality basic services.
and with the outside environment;
All present and future activities of the LRS arc tied directly to
a framework for setting LRS objectives and measuring
accomplishment of the Goals and Objectives, leading to the
their accomplishment;
achievement of the LRS Mission. The LRS Mission is in support
of the College Mission as developed and explicated in ACC
- a document to orient current and new ACC faculty and
2000: Building a Future Together. The LRS Strategic Plan has
staff to the LRS and its mission and to foster an appropri-
been developed to reflect directly the values of ACC as described
ate organizational climate;
in ACC 2000: Quality, Flexibility, Accessibility, and Diversity.
Consequently, we intend LRS r.,tivities to demonstrably help
a base-line document intended to change and be revised as
ACC to meet its fiscal, legal -t-.d moral mandates.
forces require;
As a result of the strategic planning effort, we in LRS know
a document of philosophy and mission from which
where we are and where we want to go. Just as importantly, we
budgets are developed, programs are designed, activities
can plan how to get there and evaluate our effectiveness on
and staff are evaluated, and unity of purpose is exhibited.
arrival.
LRS Organizational Overview
participate in the development and
The Austin Community College
operation of LRS.
Learning Resource Services is
comprised of the divisions of
Thirteen additional librarian
Library Services, Instructional
faculty and professional-technical
Technology, Instructional Devel-
staff work in LRS, along with
opment, arid Technical Services.
approximately 70 additional classi-
Learning Resource Centers
fied, hourly, and student staff
(LRC), which are located on each
members.
of the main and branch campuses
in the district, are the physical
LRS operates full-service Learning
spaces shared by LRS depart..
ments to provide services to the
Resource Centers at the three main
ACC community. Each division
campuses. NRG, RGC, and RVS, as
well as smaller LRCs at the exten-
also provides services directly to
the college community exclusive
sion campuses, SWC. ERG, and
CYR additionally, evening off-
of operations within the LRC.
campus LRCs are operated in four high school locations,
LRS offers whatever educational support services may be
Reagan, Bastrop, Westwood, and Round Rock. The LRS
needed by faculty and students in the pursuit of their
has over 102.000 volumes of materials college-wide. can
educational goals.
seat over 870 students, provides 97 microcomputer stations.
has 48 library automation ports online, and occupies over
Organized under a district director, the LRS provides
47,000 square feet. In FY 1991, almost 800,000 patrons
consistent quality of services to ACC students, faculty, and
entered an LRS facility. Reference questions, use of the
staff district-wide. In addition to the Director, there are
computer centers, and audiovisual equipment circulation
seven members of the LRS Management Team who
were each up at least 20 percent for the year.
Goals
Objectives
Take an active role in the educational process by integrating
Determine the need for expansion, design or development of new
LRS with the instructional programs, student support services,
learning resources and services by investigating the instructional and
other services of the College; Implement, integrate and maintain the
and administration of the College.
services and resources needed to support the College's mission; promote
LRS resources and services, emphasizing LRS integration into the
College's educational process; Evaluate LRS involvement in the
educational process of the College and make necessary revisions to
insure continued appropriateness to changing needs.
Provide the resources and services to support the educational
Investigate and select appropriate instructional materials, equipment
programs and institutional goals of the College.
and services to support the programs of the College; Acquire equipment
and acquire, develop, and/or produce materials and services compatible
with the educational needs of students, faculty and staff; Implement new
services and maintain materials and equipment in appropriate and usable
physical condition; Organize and provide access to resources and
services so that they are appropriately available to students, faculty and
staff; Promote resources and services to enhance the educational process
of the College; Evaluate LRS resources and services on a regular basis
and make necessary revisions. A survey of students, faculty and staff
will be conducted every other Spring.
Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of LRS and the
° Investigate new technologies and develop plans for their appropriate
College through the development and use of instructional and
use for delivering instruction, managing resources and improving access
information technology.
to collections, services and information; Select, acquire, develop and/or
produce existing and/or new technologies for effective LRS and College
operations; Implement, utilize and maintain appropriate technologies for
effective LRS and College operations; promote new and existing
instructional and information technologies; Evaluate and revise existing
and new technologies to insure effective support of LRS and College
operations.
Meet the diverse service requirements of the College through a
Plan for, recruit and recommend for employment qualified people
service-oriented staff with a wide range of knowledge, skills,
possessing a commitment to the community college mission and
and experience.
philosophy; Provide appropriate personnel assessment and training for
successful employee performance; Assign personnel to appropriate
positions to insure maximum effectiveness in providing services;
Encourage and support staff development through in-house activities and
by providing opportunities for professional development; E:courage
retention of LRS employees.
House LRS resources and services in a manner designed to
Provide adequate, appropriate and secure space necessary to insure
meet user and staff requirements, assure collection security,
efficient and effective delivery of services to the students, faculty and
safeguard the condition of resources, and promote efficient
staff of the College; Strive to design and organize facilities consistent
operations.
with required standards, professional guidelines and LRS goals.
Establish and maintain constructive lines of communication
Continue to investigate and prepare plans to promote LRS use and
and promote the use, operation, and development of LRS
establish internal and external lines of communication; Develop and
resources, services and technology.
maintain appropriate mechanisms and materials to encourage use and
knowledge of LRS; Promote LRS resources and services by educating
students, staff and faculty to the possible uses of LRS; Evaluate on a
regular basis the effectiveness of LRS communications and public
relations and make necessary revisions.
Manage effectively a dynamic and flexible organization
Director and LRS Management Team will maintain an effective,
capable of anticipating and responding to the evolving
efficient and accessible management structure through ongoing investi-
gation, analysis and planning; Continue to implement and maintain a
responsibilities of LRS.
flexible organization and management structure capable of anticipating
and responding to the evolving responsibilities inherent to any unit of the
College; Evaluate and revise the policies, procedures and any additional
operations necessary to maintain efficient, effective and appropriate
organizational structure consistent with the College structure and goals.
Endeavor to meet the accepted standards and principles of the
Monitor LRS performance in light of appropriate standards; maintain
profession.
policies and procedures which insure LRS adherence to appropriate
standards; Develop policies and procedures which will bring LRS into
compliance with appropriate standards.
BEST C/PY AMLADLE
Action Strategies
Enlarge and improve the Instructional Development department to
become a fully integrated support service to the College; Develop the
Library-Use-Instruction program, designed to teach critical thinking skills
and life-long research skills, in order to reach most ACC students
regardless of their curricular area. Place emphasis on instruction to ACC
students in developmental education; Provide for the development and use
of state-of-the-art instructional technologies to support the classroom
experience or as a supplemental form of curricular information, (Also
Goal 3); Provide to students at branch campuses, other ACC sites and
homes information services, delivery systems, and educational technology
which are comparable to those provided at the main campuses; Develop
the Microcomputer Support Program to better support the College; Link
with Non-Traditional Instruction for support of technology-based
instruction.
Expand the size and depth of the LRS materials collection. A collection
size of seven volumes per student is desired; Increase the number and
types of instructional equipment.
Upgrade the Automation System to handle current College requirements,
to provide the power and size for additional services to LRS patrons, and
to implement information and communications for general college
support; Establish communication networks to support and facilitate
information transfer within the LRS, between College staff, and between
the College and external sources of information. (Also Goal 1)
Provide for continuing education and other staff development activities
enabling the faculty and staff of the LRS to meet the needs of the future;
Seek to maintain open lines of communication in the management of LRS
activities. Encourage staff participation in setting the direction and
evaluating accomplishment of the LRS; Continue to promote the LRS and
Austin Community College in local, state, national, and international LRS
organizations. ACC LRS faculty and staff will continue to provide
leadership to their professional associations and to their professice, in
general.
Prepare for new LRS facilities and new sites of operation as needed;
Promote the need for expanded LRS facilities appropriate to student
populations and instructional programs, particularly on the main cam-
puses.
Publicize LRS, and its activities which enhance the educational process,
to the faculty and staff of the College.
Ensure consistency of LRS procedures, evaluation, and quality of
services across the district; Evaluate LRS services, and the LRS Strategic
Plan, on a regular basis. Modify activities and planning to accommodate
new needs; Seek outside funding for LRS programs and plans; Develop
the LRS program of support. to the College using the LRS Strategic Plan
as a guide for unified, consistent, and planned action.
Evaluate LRS programs and actions in light of accepted professional
standards and principles.
LRS Strategic Plan 1992-1997
Mission
The Learning Resource Services helps
fulfill the legislative mandate of
community colleges by supporting and
strengthening the pedagogy of
teaching and the process of learning
as they affect all students, faculty, staff
and the community.
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LRS Management Team
W. Lee Hisle, Director LRS
Julie Todaro
Head Librarian, RGC
,
Margaret Peloquin
Head Librarian, RVS
,
Cary Sowell, Head Librarian, NRG
Nathan Tinnin, Head Librarian, E.S.
Joanna Tousley- Escalante, Head Librarian, T.S.
Jeanette Cates, Instructional Development Coordinator
Richard Smith, Instructional Technology Coordinator
B
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Future of LRS
The ability of students to access instruction and instructional
holds great promise
The future of Learning Resource Services
changes in
support programs from distant sites will demand
function&of LRS
and challenge. The historic and still relevant
delivery systems and procedures. Faculty will become more
AV equipment
providing space for student study, reference,
accustomed to using technology in their instruction and conse-
supple-
circulation, or developing instructional programming to
quently will require greater facilities for support. Faculty
for examplewill continue.
ment the classroom experience,
productivity areas will include microcomputers linked to various
its
However, the changes in the nature of information, as well as
information sources accessing graphics, video or still images,
compel the LRS to adopt new
storage and manipulation, will
audio, and selections from print materials. Technology will
The increasing
methods of providing both old and new services.
continue to develop. Continuing education will be required for
technology will transform
power of educational and information
all professionals and staff.
how LRS interacts with its patrons; it also will change the way
The ability
LRS supports the college in more fundamental ways.
Instructional Development
database from
will exist for students or faculty to access the LRS
they
within the LRCs or from remote locations. Once online,
Just as technology will have a significant impact on the instruc-
periodical
will find, not only ACC-owned materials, but also
tional materials and equipment to be delivered in support of
materi-
indexes, distant library collections, and even multimedia
instruction, advances in technology will require continued growth
the power
als of interest. Moreover, the potential will exist, using
in the skills of instructional developers. As the complexity and
electronic
and flexibility of technology, for LRS to coordinate
developers will be
power of technology increases, instructional
communications for the college allowing students, faculty, and
adapting current
required to lead the efforts in developing and
administrators to communicate more effectively.
technology to integrate with the curriculum. With expertise in
learning theory and instructional design, instructional developers
Libraries
of emerging
may investigate the intricacies and applicability
technologies to classroom instruction. LRS will coordinate with
Libraries will continue some of the more traditional services.
other departments of the College to offer technology-based
Increasingly, however, librarians will take on the role of guide to
instruction in order to overcome bricks and mortar barriers to
students and faculty in using complex databases to obtain
instructional resources.
information. Electronic database search skills will become more
important although skills in traditional reference interview
Technical Services
techniques will not decrease. Reference skills will be developed
with disabilities.
to deal with multicultural influences and patrons
Revolution in technical services has occurred with the arrival of
the integrated library automation system. In the future refine-
Library-use Instruction will become more important. A college-
regional,
ments such as linking the ACC LRS catalog with local,
wide plan of adoption may be envisioned allowing systematic
and national databases will be possible. Periodical indexes and
curricular modification to implement research skills for life-long
other electronic information sources will be available to all users
learning into many ACC classes.
of the integrated system. Distant users of the system will be
capable of accessing information online, as well as integrating
Instructional Technology
with off -line delivery systems.
The future in technical services could very well encompass a
Although most current and traditional instructional technologies
larger role in the college. The LRS Technical Services could be a
will remain valid and useful in at least the near future, we can
point of information and communication, about and between all
expect, for example, continued transition from motion-picture
electronic
segments of the college. The power will exist to offer
film to video. The revolution in instructional technology,
communication links between work groups (President's Cabinet
combining audio and video with computer controls and manipu-
communicate impor-
or Academic Council, for example) and to
lations, has the potential to influence curriculum design and
of the
tant information from any college department to any user
modification as much as did the original advent of audiovisual
teaching techniques in the 1950s and 60s. system.
ACC Board Of Trustees
Strategic Planning Task Force
Mack Ray Hernandez, Chairman
Margaret Peloquin, MLIS
Dr. Carol Nasworthy, Vice Chairman
Chair
Head Librarian, RVS
Paul Linehan, Secretary
Jeanette Cates, Ph.D.
Beverly Davis
Coordinator of Instructional Development
Hunter Effinger
Pete Foster
Sebiletso Matabane, Ph.D.
Della May Moore
Coordinator of Instructional Technology
Dr. Bruce M. Murray
Murray Shaw
W. Lee 'lisle, Ph.D.
Roland Smith, Interim President
Director of Learning Resource Services
10192
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3
INTRODUCTION
4
SERVICES
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW: LEARNING RESOURCE
5
BUDGET ALLOCATIONS - 1991
6
STATISTICS 1988-1991
LRS MISSION, GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES-1992
12
FUTURE OF LRS: ACTION AGENDA
12
OVERVIEW: FUTURE POTENTIAL
12
Libraries
13
Instructional Technology
13
Instructional Development
13
Technical Services
15
PERFORMANCE PLAN
15
Focus of Energies
15
Action Strategies
18
REVIEW AND FEEDBACK PROCESS
18
EVALUATION OF ANNUAL PROGRESS
18
Steps
18
STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW
20
APPENDICES
"0
APPENDLX A: PROCESS OF STRATEGIC PLANNING ACC/LRS
24
APPENDIX B: SURVEY INSTRUMENTS
31
APPENDIX C: SUMMARY OF SURVEYS, INTERVIEWS AND DISCUSSIONS
32
APPENDIX D: OPERATIONAL IMPERATIVES
38
APPENDIX E: PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND FEEDBACK INSTRUMENTS
47
APPENDIX F: SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES
49
APPENDIX G: LRS ORGANIZATION, SERVICES AND SITES
53
APPENDIX H: STANDARDS - GOAL EIGHT DOCUMENTS
INTRODUCTION]
The Austin Community College Learning Resource Services Strategic Plan has been developed to
provide:
a planning tool for future development of LRS services;
a statement to place the LRS in context with the College and with the outside environment;
a framework for setting LRS objectives and measuring their accomplishment;
a document to orient current and new ACC faculty and staff to the LRS and its mission and to
foster an appropriate organizational climate;
a base-line document intended to change and be revised as forces require;
a document of philosophy and mission from which budgets are developed, programs are designed,
activities and staff are evaluated, and unity of purpose is exhibited
The LRS Strategic Plan is the result of many hours of work: surveys, interviews, retreats, and meetings.
These efforts were essential to the development of the heart of the Strategic Plan, the LRS Mission,
411
Goals, and Objectives. These principles will enable the LRS to sustain planned change and growth, as
well as to continue to offer quality basic services.
All present and future activities of the LRS are tied directly to accomplishment of the Goals and Objec-
tives, leading to the achievement of the LRS Mission. The LRS Mission is in support of the College
Mission as developed and explicated in ACC 2000: Building a Future Together. The LRS Strategic
Plan has been developed to reflect directly the values of ACC as described in ACC 2000: Quality,
Flexibility, Accessibility, and Diversity. Consequently, we intend LRS activities to demonstrably help
ACC to meet its fiscal, legal and moral mandates.
As a result of the strategic planning effort, we in LRS know where we are and where we want to go. Just
as importantly, we can plan how to get there and evaluate our effectiveness on arrival.
W. Lee His le. Ph.D.
Margaret Peloquin, MLIS
Director
Head Librarian - RVS and Chair,
Learning Resource Services
Strategic Planning Task Force
LRS Stratagic Ran 1992 pg. 3
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