Judgment of Compliance: The College certifies COMPLIANCE.

Narrative:

Currently the Wayne Community College library employs three full-time and two part-time librarians. The head librarian’s responsibilities involve managing all library services including planning, budgeting, personnel, and networking. The two other full-time and two part-time librarians provide reference services, manage acquisitions, purchase and process all audiovisuals, develop the collection, and provide library instruction.

Two full-time and four part-time paraprofessional positions complete the library staff. The full-time senior library technician has worked in various types of libraries for 24 years and is fully capable of assisting the credentialed librarians with reference services. At least one person with reference experience is available to assist students each hour the library is open. The second full-time support person is the bookkeeper/secretary, and she has responsibility for placing and receiving orders for materials and supplies. Both the technician and the bookkeeper/secretary hold two-year college degrees or above, with two of the part-time technicians holding two-year college degrees as well. The other two part-time library technicians have completed some college work. A review of the 2004-2005 WCC library staff members, with credentials, can be found at Library Staff 2004-05.

Evidence that WCC has library staff sufficient to carry out its mission can be found in data provided by the North Carolina Higher Education Data (NCHED) 2003. In a comparison of Wayne Community College with five comparable North Carolina community colleges (Alamance, Johnston, Sandhills, Surry and Vance-Granville), WCC ranks fourth in terms of total librarians and other professional staff and third in paraprofessional staffing.

Table 1 NCHED Comparison of WCC’s Library Staff with the Staff at Similar Community Colleges

Evidence that the staffing is sufficient is found in the data related to the number of library services provided in 2003. The Wayne Community College library staff handled 26,115 general circulation transactions, 894 reserve circulation transactions, and 502 interlibrary loans. In a typical week, the gate count was 1,858 individuals, and the reference transactions were 425. The circulation, interlibrary loan, and reference transactions typically exceeded those of the cohort colleges in the NCHED 2003 Data. For example, in a typical week, the WCC library conducted 425 reference transactions, which exceeds the next highest school by 175 transactions. Even with the heavy use of resources by faculty, staff, and students, the WCC Library has not received any indication that patrons’ needs are not being met. The Library has not received any requests for services that the staff has been unable to provide due to lack of personnel. During evening hours there is a minimum of two staff members in the library, one of whom is trained to provide reference assistance. During peak times, there are typically 8 staff members in the library providing a full complement of services.

Table 2 NCHED Comparison of WCC’s Library Gate Count and Services with Similar

Library services are very highly rated by the students. The 2001-2002 Graduate Survey Overall Analysis. documents that 95% (272) of the 287 respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with library services (Question 14, 2001-2002 Graduate Survey Overall Analysis) The 2002-2003 Graduate Survey Overall Analysis indicates that 93% (331) of the 355 respondents for that year were very satisfied or satisfied with the services provided and received (Question 5, 2003 Graduate Survey Overall Analysis).

As a result of the SACS reaffirmation process, the library recognizes that methods for collecting evaluation data need expansion. An online library survey is in development for the Spring 2005 semester, the use of which will enable the library staff to have feedback on perceived needs and areas of improvement. In particular, this survey will provide feedback on users’ perceptions of the effectiveness/efficiency of current staff in serving the College and community and should point out any staffing areas that need development. With conclusive results, the WCC Library will be able to develop plans for further enhancement of library staffing and the services provided by the staff.

The Academic Skills Center (ASC) is an instructional support service that supports the mission of the college by providing academic assistance that improves basic learning skills for college students, prospective college students, and the general public. Professional educators are available to assist students in reading, math, English, the sciences, and study skills. At present, the ASC has nine staff members (ASC Staff Roster). Each staff member has an area of expertise and holds either a bachelor or master’s degree with the exception of one staff member who has earned two associate degrees. Two staff members have a background in science, two in math, three in English, and two in general education and computers. Eight of the staff members have worked in the ASC for a year or more; one staff member has worked in the ASC for only four months. All staff members are dedicated to providing quality service to students and instructors. The staff works closely with instructors to coordinate the best personal learning plan for each student referred to the ASC.

The Student Evaluation of the Academic Skills Center survey for Spring 2004 showed 100% of surveyed students agreed or strongly agreed that the help received from ASC staff enabled them to better understand class content; 100% agreed or strongly agreed that the help received from ASC staff improved their basic skills; and 93% agreed or strongly agreed that the assistance received from ASC staff helped them to be independent learners. Table 3 below gives a synopis of these findings.

Table 3 Student Evaluation of the Academic Skills Center

Although the ASC presently has coverage in the more frequently requested subject areas, there is still a need to increase the number of full-time staff members to provide better coverage for the increasing demand from developmental students. To this end, and in support of the WCC Quality Enhancement Plan that focuses on improvement of developmental education, the director of ASC will request one additional full-time position in the 2005-2006 Planning Process. In addition, an examination of the Academic Skill Center’s policies and practices as part of the Quality Enhancement Plan process has yielded a recommendation from three separate QEP committees that testing be removed from the ASC and housed in another area. This move would free ACS staff to focus more on providing tutoring and individual help for students with academic deficiencies.

The Educational Support Technologies (EST) Department strives to ensure optimum and appropriate use of technology college wide. EST supports the mission of the college by providing technical support and training in areas such as Distance Education and other online educational services, the college website, audio visual and other multimedia technology equipment and training, photography, video and film production, graphics art design, in-house printing and publishing services, teleconferencing, and the Faculty Resource Center. The college meets the current technological challenges of education by providing students, faculty, and staff with experienced and professional experts. EST has seven full-time staff members (EST Staff Roster). The Director of EST and the Coordinator of Distance Education hold master’s degrees in instructional and educational technologies. The webmaster, graphics artist, and print shop technicians have associate’s degrees and years of related experience. The two audiovisual technicians are both completing associate degrees that are complimented with irreplaceable knowledge and experience in the AV field. WCC employees have continually expressed satisfaction with the reliable and professional Education Support Technologies department.

WCC Faculty and Staff Review of Services Survey

The Planning and Research Office conducted a WCC Services Review Survey, peer review instrument, used to evaluate the effectiveness of WCC Educational Support Services. The survey was conducted online during August of 2002 and targeted 268 full-time faculty, staff, and continuing part-time employees. A total of 142 college personnel participated in the 77-question survey, yielding a 53% response rate. The responses to the 2002 survey were examined in comparison to the 1999 responses to see if there had been any improvement.

The standard for excellence is established at 90% for each of the areas evaluated. Areas scoring below 90% must examine reasons for not meeting the standard and provide a reasonable explanation and plan for improvement. Follow-up actions addressing areas below the 90% standard were provided to the Office of Planning and Research.

Tables 4 and 5 indicate the overall satisfaction WCC faculty and staff members have with both services and support provided by the Educational Support Technologies and Print Shop.

Tables 6 and 7 indicate the overall satisfaction WCC faculty and staff members have with both services and support provided by the Library and the Academic Skills Center.

Table 4 Media Production Offices (currently titled Educational Support Technologies)
Services Satisfaction Results – 2000 to 2003

Table 5 Print Shop Services Satisfaction Results – 2000 to 2003

Table 6 Library Services Satisfaction Results – 2000 to 2003

Table 7 Academic Skills Center Satisfaction Results– 2000 to 2003