Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1977

Thesis Director

James J. Reynolds

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the personnel, hardware, software, and space requirements for an ideal learning resource center at Crowder College and to prepare a written plan for reaching this goal. The achievement of this plan would be spread over a five year period.

The existing learning resource program at Crowder College is shown to include well-established library services and very limited media services. A full description of the existing learning resources program is given and its relationship to the rest of the college is shown.

Several methods were used to determine what an ideal learning resources program would be. The 1972 Guidelines for Two-Year College Learning Resources Programs and the 1960 American Library Association Standards for Junior College Libraries give an idea of what librarians see as an ideal program. Similar standards written by media specialists were difficult to find but two models which help are Walter Felty's “A Suggested Model of Essential Criteria for Two-Year Programs” and Richard Banner's “California Media Questionnaire.” Other suggestions for an improved learning resources program at Crowder were given in various North Central Accreditation reports. Also considered in determining an ideal program were faculty needs, student characteristics, and programs at other colleges.

The existing program was compared with the standards and the other items mentioned above and was found to need improvements in several areas. The professional staff should be increased by at least one person and possibly two to meet recommended minimums. The learning resources budget should be based on a percentage of the general and educational budget instead of a set amount as it is now and that percentage should be five or six percent. A list of ten services which are not presently being offered was determined along with a few other improvements. The existing facility was found to be adequate in space for the present, but some physical improvements could improve its usage.

The goals which were determined from the various recommendations were then written as yearly goals so that at the end of five years they would all be accomplished.

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