Evaluation
Results
Because of the combined resources of Victoria College and University of
Houston-Victoria, the College has the largest print collection of any community
college in Texas and ranks fourth in the number of microform units, based
on data from the Texas State Library’s
Texas Academic Library Statistics for 2001. (Additionally, in the statistics
for state universities, UH-Victoria ranks first in the number of cataloged
items per student, based on data from the
Texas Academic Library Statistics for 2001. In Victoria College
surveys of students and faculty, the library has achieved a satisfaction rating
in excess of 92% in each of the past four years. During the past year,
the Library has improved its provision of services and resources through the
achievement of the following:
- 275% increase in the use of electronic (netLibrary) books from
689 to 2,586).
- 164% increase in the number of faculty using electronic reserves
(from 14 to 37) and an increase of 185% in the number of items placed
on electronic reserve (from approximately 110 to 313).
- Began providing electronic document delivery of interlibrary loan
materials.
- Continued updating of the collection, with particular emphasis
this year in the following areas: psychology, biological sciences,
chemistry, education, and children’s literature.
- Successful completion of two grants: (1) TexTreasure grant
to digitize historical photographs, and (2) TIF grant to expand the
Library’s video distribution capabilities.
- Continued expansion of electronic resources.
- Development of informational brochures on library services for students,
faculty, and area residents.
Future Plans
The Library recognizes the trend toward more off-campus and online classes
and will continue to improve and expand services and resources to meet the
needs of these students as well as the traditional on-campus students.
- Further development of electronic resources and online library
services.
- Upgrade of furnishing and equipment in the Library’s lecture hall
(room L-2).
- Additional promotion of the Library’s services and resources for
students, faculty, and area residents.
- Continued close working relationship between the Library and the
Museum of the Coastal Bend.
- Closer contact with faculty, through individual visits from librarians.
- Use of the
ACRL Standards for College Libraries
(January 2002) for assessment.
Strengths
- The Library provides excellent resources and services to students,
faculty, and staff. This is due, in part, to the combined funding
and cooperative arrangements between Victoria College and UH-Victoria for
the joint operation of the Library.
- The Library’s online resources are accessible remotely through
the library’s proxy server.
- The statewide library resource-sharing initiative (TexShare) plus
library subscriptions provide a wide range of online indexes and full-text
resources for students, faculty, and staff.
- The Library provides an online catalog, through continued cooperation
with the Victoria Public Library.
- High level of technology available to all library users (through
institutional funding and TIF grants).
