Library Services

The James C. Bolton Library, 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, 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. The twelve public workstations in the reference area were augmented in Fall 2005 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 [1] and library web page [2]  is freely available over the internet. The method for off-campus access of licensed databases [3] is well advertised both on the database webpage and through prominent mention at gatherings of faculty and of students for library instruction. In Fall 2005, an authentication server, using EZProxy software, allows one simple method of off-campus authentication for all subscription databases.

A list of electronic and print periodicals is now available through the LSUA library web page. [4]  Also, in Fall 2005, WebFeat software will be available to do a federated search of any (or all) electronic databases and the library catalog.

Library Services has a well developed collection development policy [5] 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 [6] , 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. The Spring 2005 Annual Student Survey (Item 60) [7] and Faculty Survey (Item 71) [8]  also provided feedback about the effectiveness of the collection development policy in terms of satisfaction with the collection. Additionally, the Faculty Senate appoints a Library Committee [9] with a representative from each of the academic departments to advise the library.

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] . Items owned by other libraries in Louisiana may be requested and are given priority by other Louisiana libraries through various agreements and protocols. All academic and public libraries in Louisiana 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 [11] , 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 miles) and Northwestern State University (60 miles).

Educational Technology

Educational Technology is the unit responsible for maintaining the technological support for learning and teaching. Information and Educational Technology (IET) Services maintains nine computer labs across campus with 197 computers [12] . Three labs are classroom labs and six are open access labs. Computers in labs are all networked computers with an array of learning software [13] . The labs are opened to provide access to students to the greatest extent possible. The principal lab is the Electronic Resource Center, which has 38 computers. The 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 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 the 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 [14] 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

Tutoring, Learning, and Computer Lab (TLC Lab)

The TLC Lab [15] 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. [16] 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. The TLC Lab is open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 4:30 p.m. 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 LSU Alexandria Catalog on pages 57 and 58 [17] and page 8 [18] of the Student Handbook.

Peer Tutoring

Peer tutoring is available in subject areas where need is greatest. 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 of the identified 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 (in the Science building) to students taking "high needs courses" BIOL 1161 and 1162. 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.

Tutoring in English composition 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

PLATO Learning courseware which offers basic to advanced instruction in reading, math, and science is available to students. Students taking developmental classes and freshman level classes will benefit from the tutorials, drills, and mastery tests which they may access using their my.lsua portal page. An additional benefit of the tutoring software is the student’s ability to access the tutorials from their own home during hours when the TLC lab is closed or when tutors are not available.

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