Standard Seven
Library and Other Information Resources

The institution demonstrates sufficient and appropriate information resources and services and instructional and information technology and utilizes them to support the fulfillment of its mission.

Information Resources and Services

The Library’s Mission and Goals Statement clearly articulates a vision of the level and breadth of information resources and services and of instructional and information technology appropriate to support its academic mission and its administrative function.

Please see Library Appendix A for Mission and Goals

The Library is only one of four units helping to implement the University mission. The remaining three report to IT.  All units within the Library itself work to support this vision.

Instructional and Information Technology:

In May 2005 the University Planning and Budget Committee (UPBC) recognized that the strategic plan for the university lacked goals specific to the use of information technology resources to support the overall mission of the university.  The UPBC drafted and presented to the faculty senate for approval a main goal, and five sub-goals, directed specifically at the use of IT resources by faculty, staff and students.  This goal was approved by the faculty senate and became goal number 13 in the university strategic plan.   

The current information technology strategic plan was drafted and approved in 2002.  The position of Chief Information Officer, the head position in the department of information technology, was either vacant or occupied by interim appointments for extended periods of time from 2002 until May of 2006 when the current appointment was made.  Included in the charge for this position is the creation of a new strategic plan that reflects the advances in IT over the last 5 years, serves to support any existing plan such as Goal 13 mentioned previously, and fully integrates with the university goals currently being revised. 

The planning for the use of IT resources to support the academic mission of the university is the charge of the Information Technology Committee, a standing committee of the faculty senate.   The Banner Coordinating Team (BCT) is the planning body for resource use by the administrative functions of the university, particularly the use of the SCT Banner ERP system.  The financial planning for the use of IT resources falls under the direct control of the CIO, however during the annual university budget formation process, the input of these committees, as well as that of the UPBC and the collective input of the university Executive Committee have substantial influence.

Information Resources and Services

Prior to the current administration, Burritt Library found it difficult to maintain a solid level of financial support.  However, in the past two years, the Library’s financial situation has significantly improved.  The Library sees a consistent and sufficient level of support as well as an effective level of maintenance and improvement of information resources and instructional and information technology.          

Please see Library Appendix B for financial information

Instructional and Information Technology:

The university budget cycle provides opportunity for the review of allocation requests for the department of information technology.  As part of this process, the University Planning and Budget Committee is made aware of, and allowed input to, department budget requests.  The approved operating budget for the department of information technology for the current fiscal year is approximately $1.25 million which is relatively consistent year to year.  In addition to these funds, the university went through an extended review of exceptional resources needed by all departments during the budget preparation cycle for fiscal year 2007 to best identify those areas needing additional one-time funding for specific projects.  As a result of this planning and review process, the information technology department received $0.9 million out of a total fund pool of approximately $3.5 million to fund the identified one-time, high-priority projects.  IT resources are also funded by an Institutional Technology Fee assessed to each student as well as bond funds allocated by the state of Connecticut.  Bond funds vary from year to year but have ranged from $0.8 to $1.5 million annually.  Financial resources generated by the technology fee remain constant with enrollment and generate approximately $2.2 million annually with the funds mandated to be expended directly, and only, on technology resources to better the student population.

The annual allocation of resources to support instructional and information technology has remained consistent and adequate during the review period.  The daily, ongoing allocation of IT department financial resources, personnel, and equipment is directed by the CIO with consistent input from the academic Information Technology Committee, the administrative Banner Coordinating Team, and ongoing and regular input from all members of the university’s Executive Committee.

Information Resources and Services

The Library uses instructional technology in support of library instruction.  At least one of our one-credit instructional classes is available online.   The remaining sections are taught in our electronic classroom. All of these classes are intended to assist in developing our students’ competitive edge in today’s educational environment.

Please see Library Appendix C for instructional information

Instructional and Information Technology:

CCSU provides extensive information technology resources in support of its academic mission. The University has one large computer laboratory with more than 200 networked computers in two classrooms and one large public lab. Approximately 20 smaller discipline-specific computer labs exist for teachers and students, as well as 15 general-purpose fully-computerized classrooms.  Of the remaining classrooms, approximately 235 in total, 134 of them have been equipped with permanently-installed technological enhancements that include teacher computer workstation, internet access, projectors, speakers, cable television and DVD players.  All of these are available as regularly scheduled classrooms.  Information Technology Services operates the main computer laboratory, the computerized classrooms adjacent to the lab, and manages or assists in the management of the majority of the other computer labs. The School of Technology staff solely manages their own computer labs with approximately 230 PCs throughout the building.  All publicly available computers on campus are connected to the campus network and Internet. A full suite of general purpose and discipline-specific software may be run from each system in the public labs. Smaller labs host specialized software for the teaching needs of the various departments that control them.  

All computers in laboratories and general purpose classrooms are on a three-year replacement cycle.  The University spends approximately $500,000 per year to replace student-used computers.  The money for these replacements comes directly from a technology fee paid per semester by each full-time student.

Online or hybrid course delivery is available using the Blackboard Vista software package.  Figures for the latest semester indicate that the system has been utilized by 35 percent of faculty and accessed by 75 percent of students.  Both categories reflect an increasing usage from semester to semester for the last two full years.   The management and delivery of online education only recently came back to the university, having been under the control of the central offices of the university system since its inception.  The ITC, the standing technology committee of the faculty senate, has already adopted a resolution to allow for the testing of fully online and increased hybrid delivery. 

Information Resources and Services

Burritt Library has professionally qualified library faculty to administer the institution’s library, including information resources and services.  Historically the Library’s ratio of staff positions to library faculty has been quite low for the size of the Library and its operations according to ACRL Standards. Efforts to improve this situation are ongoing.         

Please see Library Appendix D for staffing information

Instructional and Information Technology:

Information Technology Services has a staff of 55 full-time IT professionals as well as utilizing student workers and university assistants.  All full-time positions require a minimum of a 4-year degree in a computer science or related field and all full-time personnel receive continuous training, both on campus and off, to keep their skills and education up to date.  Central Connecticut State University’s Information Technology Service staff is also supported by more than 40 centralized IT professionals servicing the Connecticut State University system which is located in Hartford, CT.

Information Resources and Services

All Library employees are provided training and support to make effective use of library and information resources.  The University provides numerous classes that staff can take.  Library faculty members are provided funds through AAUP that permit them to take advantage of programs both locally and nationally to upgrade their professional skills.  University teaching faculty and students are able to take advantage of the classes that the Library offers. There are many individual classes that teach various subjects and levels of information access that help improve skills.

Please see Library Appendix E for classes

Instructional and Information Technology:

The Information Technology Help Desk is available 58 hours per week via telephone for technology support and assistance. The Help Desk supports all faculty, staff, and students.  Complementing the help desk, the IT department staffs a walk-in support center 15 hours per week open to all faculty, staff and students and an additional 15-20 hours per week of “ResNet” support to students living in the residence halls during the fall and spring semesters.  Hands-on technology development workshops covering various campus technology topics are offered to faculty and staff on a regular basis.  Individual and departmental workshops are also available. Students are not usually included in the technology workshops.  The IT department publishes the “Tech4u” booklet annually directed at all faculty, staff and students on campus and contains a complete listing of resources available to all members of the campus community.  Separate editions exist for students and for faculty/staff.      ( http://www.ccsu.edu/tech4u/)

Information Resources and Services

Library personnel pay close attention to illegal or inappropriate use of technology resources. We pay close attention to database licenses and resource authentication. We are most aware of copyright issues and recently contributed to a copyright policy available on the CSU home page.  We also provide our own warnings and adhere as strictly as possible to the fair use strictures.  The only other abuse that we try to control is that of university computers being used for inappropriate access to illicit material.

Please see Library   F for Copyright Policy

Instructional and Information Technology:

The department of information technology has technologies in place to both protect the infrastructure of campus systems as well as respond to any allegation of wrongful use by, or from, an outside person or agency.  All computers attempting to connect to the network are first electronically screened for acceptable conditions of operation as well as to ascertain that they are free of harmful or illegal software.  Network usage monitoring is enabled and reviewed as warranted.  While there have been infrequent allegations of improper activity submitted by an outside person or agency, to date no wrongful doing has been verified.  Allegations of wrongful use of technology by students are referred to the judicial officers within the Student Affairs office.  Allegations of wrongful use of technology by faculty or staff are referred to the head of the involved unit or department.  CCSU continues to participate in, and support the development of, system-wide security standards and procedures being put together under the leadership of the central office for the university system.  This process is ongoing.  Computer use policies and procedures currently in place can be viewed at:

http://www.ccsu.edu/its/usersupport/PoliciesProcedures/Default.htm

Information Resources and Services

The Library’s Reference Department ensures that students have available and are appropriately directed to sources of information appropriate to support and enrich their skills.  The Reference Department is open all hours that the library is open and also provides online chat and e-mail reference as well as 24 hour InfoAnytime.  Bibliographic instruction is coordinated and conducted on request.  The Library also offers an annual “best library research” award

Please see Library Appendix H

Instructional and Information Technology:

The main computer lab for the university offers students the use of 204 PCs and 10 Macintosh computers and is open approximately 90 hours per week, depending on the academic calendar.  Connected to the main lab is a fully-equipped PC classroom with 34 PCs and a full-equipped Mac classroom equipped with 25 Macintosh computers.  These classrooms are under the direction of the department of information technology and are made available to any faculty member requesting them on a per use basis, i.e. faculty teaching classes that only occasionally need a fully-equipped computer classroom.  Entry to the computer lab (and classrooms) is closely monitored and averages 1,200 distinct visits daily during the school year.

All technology resources available to students are listed in the Tech4U handbook that is delivered to each student.  This handbook is updated each year and is available both in hardcopy and via the university’s web pages.

Information Resources and Services

The Library is open 86 hours a week when school is in session.  With the exception of specialized collections, access to the Library is during the following hours:

            Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM;

             Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM;

             Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM;

             Sunday 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

 Librarians, support staff and student helpers are available at the below times to provide services including circulation, reference, reserve, acquisitions, on-line searching, interlibrary loan, cataloging, special collections, curriculum laboratory and collection development.  There is access to photo­­copiers, microcomputers and audiovisual equipment.

Access to materials in the Library is provided through CONSULS, Innovative Interfaces, Inc.’s online system that supports all four CSU libraries.  It provides the public with access not only to the joint CSU online catalog but also to CCSU Library Reserve collection, specific indexes and abstracts and to catalogs of other libraries. It also provides the Library with a fully integrated system that incorporates important functions; these functions include modules that support acquisitions, serials, circulation/reserve and cataloging.  Materials owned by the other CSU libraries may be requested online and if available, will be delivered within 48 hours.

Access to all electronic databases is available from computers in the Library and elsewhere on campus.  It is also possible for students, faculty and staff to log on from off campus locations.  Print materials not in the collection can be acquired through Interlibrary Loan available to all students and faculty.  This service makes use of several consortia including the New England Library Network (NELINET), Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), and reciprocal lending and borrow­ing arrangements with over 100 academic libraries in the New Eng­land region.  The Library is also a member of CCALD (Council of Connecticut Academic Library Directors) and has participated in joint purchases of databases.  Hartford Consortium for Higher Education includes meetings of the library directors of its member schools and is also discussing a variety of cooperative efforts.

It should be noted that CONSULS serves all four schools of the Connecticut State University, allowing for considerably more cooperation among the schools than was previously possible.  Patrons are able to place a 'hold' on books located at other CSU campuses and have them delivered by van to the local campus library. In addition, the Connecticut State Library joined CONSULS in 1997 as the fifth member of the consortium.

Please see  Library Appendix J  for description of CONSULS, Nelinet, OCLC, CCALD, HTFD Consortium

Information Resources and Services

According to the LibQual study completed in 2006, the Library does not provide a physical atmosphere conducive to study and research.  Respondents to the LibQual survey completed in 2006 gave extremely low ratings to the Library’s physical space.  When the ground floor is completed, some of this problem will be remedied.  We are also in the planning stages of re-carpeting the 2^nd floor and purchasing new contemporary furniture. We will also be increasing the number of PC’s.  This should be taking place in Spring 2008.

            Please see Library Appendix K for Physical environment

Burritt Library was opened in 1972.  The Library proper contains 97,375 square feet of assignable space.  It is divided into four floors and 8 stack levels, is fully air-conditioned and has a seating capacity for 1,000 people.  It has not undergone any significant renovation or updating since it opened, although roofing and window sealing has been done and the elevators have been renovated.

A study was done 10 years ago that stated that the Library needed considerably more space, and recommended a large addition.  This was supposed to have been completed in 2007, but got moved down on the capital planning agenda.  It is now predicted for 2020.  Furthermore, portions of the first and third floors have been given to other units, including the Farmington Valley Archaeological Project, the Honors Program, Instructional Technology Training rooms, the Italian Resource Center, the Caribbean Center, Admissions and the Academic Center for Student Athletes.

There has been planning for a renovation of the ground floor; however, this has now been delayed for several years. This renovation would provide accessibility to the building from the first floor, a particular boon for the physically challenged.  It would relocate all of the Access Services functions to the ground floor. It would also allow full elevator access to the restrooms on the ground floor.

Furthermore, the Library is quickly running out of space for print materials.  To attempt to relieve some of this problem, the serials librarian has done several studies that have allowed us to remove a portion of our print journals collection.  We have also stopped binding any of our JSTOR collection.

Instructional and Information Technology:

All publicly accessible computers are constantly monitored and maintained for best use.  All public areas are staffed with full-time employees as well as student workers and university assistants to make sure that each student has the opportunity for uninterrupted use of technology resources.

Information Resources and Services

Burittt Library has begun a program of utilizing a reputable agency, ARL’s LibQual, to evaluate the adequacy, utilization and impact of its library information resources and services. In part, the LibQual analysis did influence the renovation plans for the first two floors of the Library. The first year of participation In LibQual was 2006.  We anticipate that the next survey will be implemented in 2010.

Please see Library Appendix L. for LibQual Analysis

Instructional and Information Technology:

In 2000 the university moved to employ the SCT Banner system as its Enterprise Resource Planning software.  This software is used by the majority of administrative offices on campus in the day-to-day operation of their specific functions.  The advising module of the software allows for the direct access to student records by involved faculty.  The campus utilizes Microsoft Exchange Services, including email and calendaring, to allow for collaboration both on campus and off.  Microsoft Office Suite is the desktop standard for productivity software.  Several large-scale software packages are used by individual functional units to assist them in the conduct of their work including the GELCO travel software used by the business offices, specialized softwares used by the student judicial and residence hall management staff, the AdAstra room scheduling software used by the Registrar’s office, the TPS timekeeping system written by the CSUS office for campus use, specialized hardware and software used by the campus police and safety personnel, the use of the State of Connecticut CoreCT system used by the Human Resources offices, and functional-specific software such as SPSS for statistical analysis.

To assist the academic offering of fully online as well as blended courses (those with both online and face-to-face components), the CSUS office has made available the Blackboard Vista software which is now the standard across the four universities.

Information Resources and Services

Instructional and Information Technology:

Depending on the functionality of the unit, each unit within the department of information technology employs their own technology to monitor the use of specific technologies throughout the university community, both on campus as well as internet use.  The use of these technologies allows for the quick reactive services at the first sign of a problem as well as the planning on how to improve existing services.  The help desk logs every single contact made via telephone or the internet and this log is monitored constantly to maintain adequate satisfaction time for each and every instance.  The use of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) continues to expand both in terms of experiential learning and use as well as conference/seminar instruction.

The Chief Information Officer regularly attends meetings of the faculty Information Technology Committee, the administrative Banner Coordinating Team, as well as other less formal technology use committees on campus for the purpose of hearing and responding to requests for new or expanded technologies or to comments regarding services that could be improved.  Information gleaned from all sources is used both for the long-term and the immediate planning needs of the IT department.

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