The Ganser Library, built in 1967, provides an array of resources and services to students, faculty, staff and the broader community.

Strengths

     Qualified, professionally active librarians who provide service to the campus through active involvement in committees and task forces, as well as through direct service.

     An extensive library instruction program that reaches over 2,000 students each semester and is developed collaboratively by faculty, librarians, academic deans, and other information providers.

     Support from the administration for acquisition of materials to support new courses and programs.

     Participation in local, regional, state, and national consortia to increase cost-effective access to resources

     Cooperative working relationship with Information Technology.

     Development of a comprehensive and clearly written Copyright Policy (available on its web site) that includes applications of Fair Use principles, sample forms to obtain various types of permission to copy and tape, sources of information on copyright, and links to informative Internet sites.

     A comprehensive program of data collection on materials, services, and usage.

     Despite the age and configuration of the building, efficient signage and placement of service areas.

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Concerns/Suggestions

     Insufficient financial support is available to continue to acquire print and media materials at the current level while also increasing access to electronic resources through licensing agreements. Despite limited resources, this need must somehow be addressed.

     The HVAC system needs to be improved to ensure proper climate control and sound environmental conditions for patrons, staff, materials, and computing equipment.

     A random review of syllabi indicated that many courses do not yet include an information literacy component. The University should develop an appropriate mechanism to ensure that courses (General Education, Honors, others) contain an information literacy component in order to enable students to develop the skills necessary to locate and evaluate information for coursework and lifelong learning.

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