3.8.1 Learning/Information Resources

The institution provides facilities and learning/information resources that are appropriate to support its teaching, research, and service mission.

  Compliance           ___  Partial Compliance          ___  Non-Compliance

Narrative:
South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) provides facilities and learning/information resources that are appropriate to support its teaching and service mission.  Each campus and site has one building.  Building use is monitored annually through the Louisiana Board of Regents for Higher Education (BoR).  (1)  The most recent report demonstrates SLCC has room to grow in New Iberia and Franklin, but it is close to reaching maximum use in Lafayette.  Thus, the state is currently reviewing the feasibility of adding a new building to the Lafayette campus.  Currently courses are offered Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 9:50 p.m., Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.  Learning and information resources include the Library, the Academic Success Center, computer and science labs.

Library
SLCC has an 86,000 square foot building in Lafayette housing classrooms and a library.  The Library is open in Lafayette from Monday through Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.  In New Iberia the Library hours are Monday through Thursday 8:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Currently there are no Saturday classes in New Iberia.  The SLCC Library has adequate space for library resources, patrons and staff as follows:

The Lafayette campus Library has a dedicated room for bibliographic instruction.  Bibliographic instruction is enhanced with nineteen student computers, an instructor workstation, and a multi-media podium.  When not in use for instruction, the bibliographic instruction room is used as an open computer lab.

Students have access to a computer lab at the Hessmer site for accessing online databases and electronic books.  Additionally each National EMS Academy site has a library resource room containing EMT-Paramedic reference material and computers.

Library Resources
Resources at all campuses include both print and electronic resources as follows:

Electronic Collection
The electronic resource collection includes those databases available as a Louisiana Library Information Network Consortium (LALINC) member, databases individually subscribed to by SLCC and electronic book collections.  All students and faculty have access to these resources both on and off-campus.

Equipment at the Lafayette campus may be checked out by faculty and staff for use at the New Iberia campus and other sites.

Class specific software including the Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) Industrial Technology software and the Hawkes math software are available to students on library computers.

Evaluation of Library Resources
Various surveys are conducted to measure library user satisfaction. On the 2010 SLCC Graduate Exit Survey the library received the following average ratings (on a five point scale):

Additional surveys are conducted by the library to evaluate student and faculty satisfaction with library services. Comments from the 2009 student  satisfaction survey and actions taken include:

"If you could change one thing about the library it would be:"

   • "Additional seating/table space/computers" (New Iberia)
Action taken: Twenty-eight computers and four study tables were added to the New Iberia library in 2010.

   • “Computers randomly shutting off” (New Iberia)
Action taken: This situation occurred because too many computers were connected into one computer drop. Additional computer drops were added in New Iberia to accommodate additional computers.

   • “The library is too noisy” (Lafayette)
Action taken:  One of the reasons why the Lafayette library is noisy is its proximity to the receiving area and to the student lounge. The front doors of the library were adjusted so that they are closed during library hours. Better library signage is displayed to reinforce the need for quiet.

Comments from the 2010 faculty satisfaction survey and actions taken include:
     “What could the SLCC library do to improve the research resources for the classes you teach?

   • “More books”
Action taken: An online book request form was placed on the library’s website to facilitate faculty book suggestions. All requests are evaluated and ordered pending available funds.

   • “More staff in New Iberia”
Action taken: Library staff currently rotates to New Iberia daily. A student worker was hired who works primarily in the late afternoon and early evening.

Academic Success Center
The Academic Success Center provides walk-in and online individualized assistance to students on both campuses. The center's resources include tutors in English, math, and other selected courses.  The center has electronic tutorials such as SMARTHINKING, PLATO, and Skills Tutor available to students through the web. (2)  The center is available on both campuses.  In Lafayette, the hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.  In New Iberia the hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Computer Labs
Computers are available for students in the libraries, and student lounges on both the   Lafayette and New Iberia campuses.   The computer lab in the Lafayette library is open the same hours as the library.  Lafayette has 66 computers available for student use; New Iberia has 40 computers available; Franklin site has 3 computers available.

Discipline Related Labs
On the Lafayette Campus, there is one biology lab and one chemistry/physics lab. There is also one Industrial Technology lab.  In New Iberia there is one science lab. As indicated from the chart below lab facilities are adequate to meet the student demands.

The faculty and staff are current on the issues and trends for libraries, tutorial centers, and labs. Through their planning and research, SLCC remains current in its academic support areas. (3)

Documentation:

Supporting Documents:

• Library Hours Website
• Academic Success Center Website