ACRL Access Questions
Access to library resources should be provided in a timely and orderly fashion. Library collections and catalog for accessing them should be organized using national bibliographic standards. A central catalog of library resources should provide access for multiple concurrent users and clearly indicate all resources. Provision should be made for interlibrary loan, consortial borrowing agreements, access to virtual electronic collections and document delivery to provide access to materials not owned by the library. Furthermore, distance learning programs should be supported by equivalent means such as remote electronic access to collections, the provision of reliable network connections, and electronic transmission or courier delivery of library materials to remote users. Policies regarding access should be appropriately disseminated to library users.
1. What methods are used to provide maximum intellectual and physical accessibility to the library and its resources?
Intellectual accessibility to the library and its resources is provided through our Library’s online catalog, electronic databases, electronic reserves, and various services on the library’s webpage. Library materials in all formats are cataloged using the Voyager cataloging system and accessible via the HORNetCAT online Catalog, MALCAT (Montgomery Academic Libraries), and Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) WorldCat. All electronic databases are accessible through respective database searches and federated searches such as 360 Search (Serials Solutions) and E-Journal Finder (Serials Solutions).
Physical accessibility to the library and its resources is made available during regular operating hours the library is open during weekdays and weekends except holidays. All materials are well arranged, maintained, and accessible through open stacks or from staff assistance for reserve area. Library staff and work-study students are well trained in each area to assist patrons for access to all library resources intellectually and physically.
Supporting Documentation:
2. How are the accuracy and currency of the catalog assured?
To assure the accuracy of the catalog, the Cataloging Department catalogs all materials following AACR2, USMARC21, LC Subject Headings, and other national bibliographical standards. A continuingly revised Technical Services Policies and Procedures Manual is in place (a physical copy is in Technical Service Area, and an electronic copy can be accessed via the Library Intranet). An Authority control process is conducted routinely. Before being shelved, all items are double checked with records in the system by experienced staff. Holdings information on WorldCat is updated immediately after the item has been processed. A library wide Inventory Control Project was completed in 2006. This project highly enhanced the accuracy of the catalog by verifying our holdings in all areas of the Library.
The current status of the library materials is available to the public through the online catalog as follows: on order, in process, charged, overdue, at bindery, etc. New materials are cataloged on the average within one week. Rush material requests, and faculty material requests are processed within 24 hours. Serials/periodical issues are checked-in and available on the shelves within 24 hours of receipt. Cataloging for a serial’s title change is usually completed within 2 days of the receipt of the first issue.
Members of Access Team, which is composed of all librarians and representatives of each department work together to maintain the accuracy and currency of the online catalog. Any errors noticed are conveyed to the Cataloging Department and corrected immediately.
3. Is the arrangement of the collections logical and understandable?
The arrangement of the collections is very understandable and logical. Electronic databases are arranged by both subject and title on the homepage. Physical copies of library materials are arranged logically in each area:
a) Most monographs are arranged by Library of Congress (LC) Call Number.
b) Periodicals, news papers, and microforms are arranged by title.
c) Thesis and dissertations are arranged by Dewey Decimal Call Number.
d) Course Reserves are arranged by instructors’ last name/family name.
Reference, Special Collections/Archives, and Circulating Audio-Visual materials are mostly high-demand items, so their location on the first floor makes them accessible for users. Periodicals and Main Stacks require more space, which the third and fourth floors provide. The Curriculum Material Center, in contrast, is more focused subject-wise and a high-demand area for Education students. With the shift of circulating audio-visual materials to the first floor, more space is available for Curriculum to expand.
4. Does the library provide timely and effective interlibrary loan or document delivery service for materials not owned by the library?
Yes, the University Library provides timely and effective interlibrary loan and document delivery service. Our ILL staff conducts the borrowing process as soon as a request is received. Since this library is a member library of Network of Alabama Academic Libraries (NAAL) and Southeastern Library Network (SOLINET) consortium programs, our requests are filled by those reciprocal libraries in a timely and effective process.
Documents are delivered effectively through Ariel (the latest version of this software is in use).
Supporting Documentation:
1. Network of Alabama Academic Libraries (NAAL)
2. Southeastern Library Network (SOLINET)
5. Does the library participate in available consortial borrowing programs?
Yes. Our library participates in Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) borrowing program offered through the Southeastern Library Network (SOLINET), the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries (NAAL) consortium agreement, and the Montgomery Higher Education Consortium (MHEC) program.
6. Does the library provide sufficient numbers of appropriately capable computer workstations for access to electronic resources?
There are 53 PCs available to the public for access to the online catalog and electronic resources: (12 on 1stfloor Reference Department, 3 in the Special Collections/Archives Department, 3 in the Curriculum Materials Center, 5 on the 3rd floor in the Serials/Periodicals Department, 12 on 4thfloor, and 18 in the Computer Lab located on the second floor). Wireless access to the Internet is also available in the University Library.
Two information commons and an Internet Cafe will be added to the library after construction is complete for the new wing addition. At that time, many more computers will be added to provide patrons with access to the online catalog and electronic resources.
7. Is access to the catalog and to other library resources available across campus and off-campus?
Yes. The online catalog and all online databases are available to all students, faculty, and staff across campus. The online catalog is available off-campus to the general public through the Internet. Access to electronic resources licensed by the University Library is available to all ASU students, faculty and staff with valid registered identification.
8. If materials are located in a storage facility, are those materials readily accessible?
Currently, serials/periodicals are not stored in a facility outside the library, but there storage areas in the library where serials are stored until they are either purchased in microform format, bound format, or discarded.
- A storage room on the 3rd floor houses newspapers, journals, newsletters, and indexes. Some issues are on a schedule to be discarded and some are waiting evaluation. An old microfilm reader is held there. Access is available with assistance from the Serials Staff.
- Volumes of some scientific abstracts are shelved via compact shelving, Main Stacks shelving and under Main Stacks shelving on 3rd floor. Access is available with assistance from the Serials Staff.
National Center materials and archival materials are stored and well arranged in the Special Collections/Archives Department and are readily accessible with the assistance from our Archivist and staff. Electronic access to these materials is an ongoing project between the Special Collections/Archives Department and the Cataloging Department.
9. In what ways does the library provide for its users who are engaged in distance learning programs?
One of the best ways for a library to stay connected to students whom are engaged in distance learning programs is through the library webpage. The University Library actively evaluates and updates its webpage on a very continuous basis. The University Library is committed to providing as much helpful library information on its webpage as possible. Along this vein, the library has taken steps to design the site so that it may act as a portal to the rest of Alabama State University as well as the academic community in the State of Alabama at large. To be more specific, through the webpage, a student involved in distance education is able to find information concerning, for example, the library’s hours, contact information for staff, important forms such as ILL and reserve requests, library floor plans, links to the library webpage of other universities in the State, the library catalog, how to access electronic databases for research, various subject guides, an active email-based reference forum, and much more. Through the University Library’s webpage, the distance learner can not only utilize tools specifically designed to aid in ASU coursework, but also become familiar with available on-site services before a possible visit. A distance learner, through the remote access provided by the library through its webpage, should be able to accomplish any library task of which a resident student would be capable.