Policy: 6.13 Educational Support Services

Adoption Date: July 30, 2025 Revised

LIBRARY

Faculty members are expected to become familiar with the resources of the library. They are expected to guide their students in the development of habits, attitudes, and skills that will enable them to use the library effectively. The librarian consults with the division directors concerning needed acquisitions by May 15 and October 15 of each year. New subscriptions to periodicals must be made prior to February 15 of each year.

Books from the regular collections circulate for three weeks and may be renewed if not in demand. Periodicals, special reference works, and audio‑visual materials may be borrowed only by the faculty. Materials may be reserved for part or all of a semester by giving written notice to the librarian well in advance of assignments. This notice should indicate author, title, call number, number of copies, and length of reserve period. All materials are removed from reserve at the end of the semester.

The librarian assists classroom instruction by placing books on reserve, giving guided tours of the library, providing library orientation to classes, and offering various other services.

The library has supplies and equipment for preparing many kinds of media, including overhead projector transparencies, video and audiocassettes, slides, tapes, and laminated posters.

BOOK ADOPTION AND PURCHASING POLICIES

Faculty are committed to the College’s mission of academic excellence. The rising costs of textbooks and materials has created barriers to success, for some students. In order to ensure equitable access for all students, faculty are expected to select Open Educational Resources (OERs) as learning resources for assigned courses unless prior approval is obtained (effective Fall 2026). Non-OER Materials Approval Form

OERs allow students to use freely available course materials and allow faculty to customize course materials. Faculty will be supported to identify, adopt, adapt, and create Open Educational Resources that meet quality standards and are responsive to their unique teaching and learning environment. When considering an OER for a course, the OER itself and the supplemental resources associated with it must be accessible.

When approved to adopt a textbook that is not an OER, instructors must give students the option of purchasing used books if available, with the exception of consumable books. The bookstore will not purchase back books that have a large amount of writing, answers to quizzes, etc. Instructors within the same department are not required to use the same book. It is the instructor’s option to use the past book edition or to adopt the newest edition.

It is the instructor’s option to label a book either “required” or “optional.” Optional textbooks recommended by instructors should be clearly marked as an optional text on the adoption form. Textbook adoptions not marked as optional will automatically be considered required texts. Once a book is designated as required, it will not be refunded.

Instructors are encouraged to select textbooks for a minimum three-year adoption period. Instructors should communicate the basis for anticipated, unusual enrollment increases or decreases in courses when these conditions can be predicted. Site administrators will distribute procedures relative to the adoption of textbooks.

Instructors must use the designated bookstore for the adoption of all course books, kits, supplies, etc. unless prior approval has been given by the Dean of Instructional Design.

INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Each site has institutional support services to include tutoring, test-taking, and counseling services for students. Please contact the site administrator for details.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Academic advising procedures vary on each site. Please contact the site administrator for details.

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN SERVICES

Faculty may contact the WEB CT administrator for assistance in developing on-line courses.