08:07:00 Library

Purpose

The R. Jack Fishman Library provides physical and digital information resources to meet the teaching and learning needs of students, faculty, staff, and community members at all campus and online locations; develops a collection of physical and digital resources that supports the College’s diverse curriculum; teaches information literacy skills to enhance student learning outcomes at Watlers State Community College

Policy

I. Location

The Library is located at the north end of the quadrangle. Most of the building’s first and second floors are devoted to the library’s reference, circulation, and technical service areas; study areas for students; and the main collection of materials. The building’s main entrance is in the quadrangle and opens into the second-floor lobby, where the circulation desk is, in order to maintain a secure entrance. All other doors are controlled emergency exits.

II. Hours

The Library is closed when administrative offices are closed.

III. Checkout of Library Materials

Walters State students, faculty, and staff have the option of checking out various items including books, laptops, iPads, and video production packages from the Library’s Circulation Desk. The checkout period for books is four weeks. Walters State students, faculty, or staff who wish to check out laptops, MiFis, calculators, and video production packages must come to the circulation desk after reserving it online. Students may check-out most library equipment from other campuses if they have reserved the equipment online from the appropriate campus. The patron must present a state-issued photo ID to check out the requested item and sign the appropriate form that explains the checkout policy and the due dates.

IV. Reference Service

The library’s reference desk at the R. Jack Fishman Library is staffed during library hours fall and spring academic semesters. Hours are adjusted during summer sessions and may vary during interim periods and breaks. Reference service is available to all students, faculty, and staff. A library patron may request service by calling or visiting the reference desk. Reference assistance is also available e-mail services and eLearn messenger. Services include answering reference questions, assisting users with research projects, and developing subject-specific LibGuides. Computer workstations available in the reference area provide access to the online catalog of book titles in the collection, databases, and Internet resources. Online resources are accessible from all campus locations and other locations via any computer with an Internet connection.

V. Library Bibliographic Instruction

Sessions are offered at all campuses and all distance education sites. The Library requests that instructors schedule sessions by calling or emailing. Please provide a week’s notice if possible. Advance notice allows for preparation time and coordination of space and other instructional activities. In order to make instruction more relevant, the faculty member may provide information about the nature of the assignment, the desired learning outcomes, and approximate class size.

VI. Interlibrary Loan Service

Interlibrary loan service is available to Walters State students, faculty, and staff. Community borrowers are not eligible for interlibrary loan service and are referred to their local public library for such service. TBR/UT borrowers are referred to their home school. Books and periodical articles not available in Walters State collections may be requested via interlibrary loan. In order to comply with copyright laws, the patron must complete and sign an interlibrary loan request form for each item being requested. An Interlibrary loan form is available on the library’s Web page where it can be submitted electronically or a student or WSCC employee may request an ILL via email. The patron should allow a minimum of two weeks for requested items to arrive. The patron is responsible for damage or loss of materials borrowed.

VII. Reserves

Faculty members may request that library material, their personal copies of items, and their photocopies (in compliance with copyright law) be placed on reserve for use by their classes. The request must include the course title and number, the instructor’s name, loan period desired, and any instructions for usage of the materials. Reserve requests and materials for reserve should be delivered to the library’s circulation desk. Instructors should allow 24 hours for the materials to be processed for the reserve shelf. Most reserve items are for use only in the library. At the request of the faculty member, overnight and 3-day loan periods are also available.

IX. Individual and Group Study Area

Study rooms are available to students for the purposes of group interaction and discussion. There are fourteen group study rooms available in the library and a large conference room. Carrels and individual study pods with electric connections are available for independent study on the first floor and provide adequate space for individual study.

X. Gifts

Gift materials are processed through the Office of College Advancement. The Foundation acknowledges receipt of materials and in cooperation with Library Services and assigns a value to any donation. The same selection standards used for choosing other materials to be added to Library Service’s collections also apply to gifts. While Library Services welcomes and encourages gift materials, we reserve the right to make appropriate disposition of materials given to the College.

XI. Service Agreements with Non-Affiliated Libraries

A.  TBR/UT Libraries
In accordance with an agreement reached by the Tennessee Academic Library Collaborative (TALC), any currently enrolled Walters State student and any currently employed Walters State faculty or staff member may borrow books from the libraries at participating TBR/UT schools. The borrower is subject to the loan policies of the lending library and is responsible for any fees incurred at the lending institution. Walters State students, faculty, and staff members who plan to use the library facilities at participating institutions must show proof of enrollment at Walters State Community College in order to borrow books from other TBR/UT libraries. A photo ID must also be presented at the lending library in order to check out materials. The library reserves the right to terminate this privilege for any patron at the request of the lending library.

Library Services will reciprocate by lending materials to students, faculty and staff from other TBR/UT schools when valid TBR/UT identification cards are presented. Borrowers from other schools agree to follow Walters State’s lending policies.

B.  Lincoln Memorial University
In accordance with a service agreement, Lincoln Memorial University provides access to library materials, library services, and audio-visual materials for Walters State’s students, faculty, and staff. Walters State will reciprocate these same library services to Lincoln Memorial students, faculty, and staff. Borrowers from Lincoln Memorial agree to follow Walters State’s lending policies.

C.  Tusculum University
In accordance with a service agreement, Tusculum University provides full use of its library in-house circulation services and facilities for Walters State faculty, staff, and students. Walters State will reciprocate these same library services to Tusculum students, faculty, and staff. Borrowers from Tusculum agree to follow Walters State’s lending policies.

XII.  WSCC Other Campus Locations

Walters State Community College operates four other campus locations: the Walters State Niswonger Campus (located in Greene County), the Walters State Sevier County Campus, the Walters State Claiborne County Campus, and the Walters State Newport Campus.

XIII.  The Library provides remote access to academic databases and electronic books

These resources are available to all students, faculty, and staff from any location via a computer with an Internet connection. Access to print materials housed at the main Library on the Morristown campus is available via courier.

Bibliographic instruction programs at all campuses and distance education sites are scheduled by calling or sending an email to a librarian or the Library’s general email address. A librarian conducts these sessions and schedules makeup sessions to ensure that all students have an opportunity to participate in a library instruction program.

01/15; 05/16; 03/23