Library Services

LSUA faculty have user privileges at the James C. Bolton Library during their employment with the university, and registered students have user privileges during academic sessions. Policies governing borrowing privileges are detailed in the LSUA Library Services Policy Manual (p. 6-7) [1] .

Library Services has a well developed collection development policy [2] that details how decisions are made in regard to purchase, subscription, and de-accessioning of the collection. Care is taken to invite departmental faculty to participate in decision making. Funds are budgeted for each discipline taught, with greater weight given to upper-level courses and new courses and programs. This same policy also insures that the library collection is up to date and sufficient to support its programs, courses, and degrees in both the long and short term. Annual student [3] and faculty [4] surveys also provide feedback about the effectiveness of the collection development policy in terms of satisfaction with the collection. Additionally, the Faculty Senate appoints a Library Committee [5] with a representative from each of the academic departments to advise the library.

The James C. Bolton Library [6] , a two story facility consisting of 38,388 square feet built in 1962, has been continually upgraded to allow for full access to an online catalog, electronic holdings, and the Internet. The facility houses 117,517 titles (over 160,100 physical volumes), current periodicals, a reference area, an archives, library offices and work spaces. A wireless network was installed in the library in 2003, and eight laptop computers with wireless network cards are available for use within the library. In Fall 2005 the twelve public workstations in the reference area were augmented by an additional six, and two additional public workstations for catalog access will be added in other parts of the building.

Full text access to over 20,000 current periodical titles and to 27,984 electronic books is available to students and faculty. In addition, off-campus access to the library catalog [7] and library web page [8] is freely available over the Internet. The method for off-campus access of licensed databases [9] is well advertised both on the database webpage and through prominent mention at gatherings of faculty and of students for library instruction. An authentication server, using EZProxy software, allows one simple method of off-campus authentication for all subscription databases.

Before Spring 2006, WebFeat software will be available to do a federated search of any (or all) electronic databases and the library catalog.

Library and institutional policy guarantees access to materials not owned by LSUA to its students and faculty through interlibrary loan and document delivery services [10] . Faculty have the option of using ILLiad software [11]  to facilitate making requests and tracking them. Various agreements and protocols ensure that all Louisiana libraries give priority to interlibrary loan requests received from other Louisiana libraries. All academic and public libraries are visited at least three times per week by a courier service; larger libraries are visited every weekday. This allows delivery of returnable items within a week of request. Academic libraries in Louisiana are served through the DEEDNet network, which facilitates scanning and electronic delivery (via Ariel software) of copied items. In addition, LSUA is an associate member of SOLINET and OCLC, so most books and articles anywhere in the United States are available to LSUA faculty and students.

Additionally, through the LALINC agreement on reciprocal borrowing [12] , LSUA faculty may go to another participating LALINC library and borrow their materials. In cases of full reciprocity, this is also an option for LSUA students, notably in the nearby libraries at Louisiana College (10 mi) and Northwestern State University (60 miles).

Educational Technology

Educational Technology is the unit responsible for maintaining the technological support for student learning and faculty teaching. Educational Technology maintains nine computer labs across campus with 197 computers [13] . Three labs are classroom labs and six are open access labs. Computers in labs are all networked computers with an array of learning software [14] . The labs are opened to provide access to students to the greatest extent possible. The principal lab is the Electronic Resource Center and has 38 computers. This lab is open from 7:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

LSUA uses the course management system Desire2Learn. This system allows faculty to post course materials online for accessibility any time. Communication tools allow students to contact their instructor or each other through the system, which students can access through their my.LSUA portal. LSUA creates a course site for every section of every course. This allows faculty who wish to use the system to manage their course site whenever they choose. It also allows students to access classmates even if the instructor chooses not to utilize the site. During Spring of 2005, 30% of the 474 course sections that were created were utilized to some degree. The system is also used to deliver Internet courses. Seven Internet courses were offered each semester for Spring and Summer of 2005. Six Internet courses are scheduled for Fall 2005.

In addition to labs, LSUA is rapidly adding classroom technology to give instructors flexibility in presentation methods to meet the needs of various student learning styles. Larger rooms and rooms that are used most often are scheduled for full installation with ceiling-mounted projector and speakers, a locking podium and computer, VCR, DVD player and permanent mounted controls that are consistent across campus. Smaller rooms are receiving Smart Expressions carts which incorporate all the same functionality as the large classrooms in a stand-alone cart. In addition to permanent installations, the mobile carts allow for multi-media opportunities in classrooms where permanent installations have not yet been purchased. These less expensive mobile units allow for greater coverage across campus and have been critical to filling the instructional needs of faculty. The inventory of carts and podiums [15] shows the type of installation in each room. For a more complete explanation of LSUA's use of technology to enhance student learning, please see Comprehensive Standard 3.4.14.

Student Services

LSUA recognizes the uniqueness of every student and provides programs, services, and advocacy that will facilitate access to the college, assist students in attaining their educational and career goals, support the teaching/learning process, facilitate personal growth and development, and encourage a continuous relationship with the university. Student Services provides an array of services that support systems to facilitate success in the classroom.

Student Services offers a variety of student services designed to facilitate student development and support the academic program. These programs include the following: the Tutoring, Learning and Computer Lab (TLC Lab); peer tutoring (Writing Lab, and Math/Science Lab), academic, vocational, and personal counseling, a Carol Perkins career education counselor, testing center; career services; services for students with disabilities; orientation; the OAKS (student ambassadors); student activities and intramural sports; student organizations, and student publications. The Student Services Office is located in the LSUA Student Center, West Wing. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. All services are free and confidential.

Tutoring, Learning, and Computer Lab (TLC Lab)

The TLC Lab [16] provides 16 computers for student use, including one that has enhancements to accommodate sight impaired students. Each of the 16 computers is equipped with software packages that support curriculum needs, including content-specific software. The lab also provides four viewing stations equipped with TV and VCR units for student use in viewing video tapes. The viewing lab also has a group viewing area that consists of a large TV/VCR set with eight listening stations. Tapes available through Student Services are, MATH 0003, 0004, 1021, 1022, 1100, 1431, 1550, and MATH/STAT/PSYC 2011. Select video tapes may be checked out [17] . The TLC Lab is open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 4:30 on Friday. Hours of operation are posted at the entrance of the lab. A description of the services provided in the TLC Lab appears in the LSUA Catalog on pages 57 and 58 [18]   and on page 7 of the Student Handbook [19] .

Peer Tutoring

Peer tutoring is available in subject areas which evidence the highest need. Each semester, grade distributions are requested from Institutional Research and Effectiveness for identification of courses where 30% or more of the students receive a "D," "F," or "W." When these subject areas are identified, tutors are hired to address tutoring needs in as many areas as possible.

Math and science tutoring takes place in the Tutoring, Video, and Testing room located within the TLC Lab. Tutoring is available for students taking the following subjects: MATH 0003, 0004, and 1021; BIOL 1001 and 1002; CHEM 1201 and 1202. These courses were selected from the grade distribution list mentioned above and identified as "high needs" courses. Math and science peer tutors are faculty recommended. Tutoring hours vary from semester to semester, depending on tutor availability.

Tutoring is also available to students taking BIOL 1161 and 1162 (high need courses) in the Science building. This type of tutoring is called supportive instruction due to the fact that the peer tutor (faculty recommended) attends a section of the biology course and conducts small study groups throughout the week. Study group sessions are scheduled according to tutor availability.

English tutoring takes place in the Writing Center, a separate room located within the TLC Lab.

Tutoring is available for students taking ENGL 0001, 0002, 1001, and 1002. These courses were selected from the grade distribution list mentioned above and identified as "high needs" courses.

The Writing Center is staffed with faculty-recommended and trained peer tutors. Tutoring hours vary from semester to semester, depending on tutor availability. The Writing Center is equipped with a computer, work area, and space for writing resources.

Tutoring Software

In Summer 2005, LSUA upgraded PLATO software to the web learning version which allows students to access it from home. The software is configured to work with the campus portal so that all students have access through their my.LSUA portal page. PLATO contains remediation tutorials in many subjects including mathematics, reading, biology, chemistry, and life science. Each subject has a variety of ranges which allows the student to start at the appropriate level based on his/her skills and knowledge. The biology and chemistry series include interactive video and audio that help promote understanding of concepts. Many of the tutorials are narrated, assisting students who have difficulty reading. Because it is available through the Internet, students will be able to access the tutorials from home (although chemistry and biology require broadband access). This program replaces SMARThinking, which did not receive much use by LSUA students last year [20] .

The tutoring program is evaluated through the Annual Survey of Students [21] . According to the data collected on the 2005 Student Survey, 83% of the students surveyed answered "yes," that they are aware of the peer tutoring services provided by Student Services. Fifteen percent answered "yes," that they have used the peer tutoring services provided by Student Services. Ninety-six percent of the students surveyed are satisfied with the software available in LSUA's student computer labs.

In addition to the services described above, individual departments purchase instructional videos and software on an ad hoc basis to support individual courses.