Online Library Materials and Services

Description of the Effective Practice
Description of the Effective Practice: 
How this practice supports student satisfaction: Frederick Community College (FCC) provides a comprehensive array of online library services for its students. Library resources available by remote access include the library catalog, reference data bases, online journals and full-text resources, government documents, news services, and other sources. The library also creates custom web pages with resources that are relevant to individual courses. Services provided online include reference and research assistance, document delivery, interlibrary loan, partnering programs with local libraries, and library user training, including research techniques. The FCC library web site includes links to several university libraries and their more extensive resources. FCC is also a member of the Maryland Digital Library, a gateway to electronic resources such as databases, e-books, electronic journals, and reference works available to students and faculty at universities and colleges statewide. FCC also makes librarians available online to help with research assignments and other library related needs.
Supporting Information for this Effective Practice
Evidence of Effectiveness: 
Online library materials was the highest-rated service (4.27 on a 5-point scale) by respondents on a student survey (n=33), with almost 80% of respondents rating the service as "good" or "very good" and only 3% rating the service as "poor" or "very poor". Also, almost one-fourth of student respondents indicated that having an online librarian to help with research assignments as helpful to their success.
Estimate the probable costs associated with this practice: 
Low to Moderate - Maryland Digital Library services are funded by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Relation to other Pillars: 
One of the goals of Frederick Community College's Distance Education Center is to provide access to a high-quality support services system for distance learners.
Contact(s) for this Effective Practice
Email this contact: