The library supports the mission of Mitchell Community College by providing high quality, relevant and useful collection of resources, which includes all facets of information literacy and by collaborating with the college community to enhance student learning. The library is responsible for the development of library and audiovisual materials and services which support the instructional goals of Mitchell Community College.
One of the major tasks of a library program is collection development: the process of building and maintaining the library's materials collection through identification, selection, acquisition, evaluation and withdrawal of print, non-print, electronic and remote formats.
The library supports student academic success by providing resources and services to the College's students, faculty, staff and the local community. This collection development policy includes general guidelines for the selection of library materials and criteria for withdrawal of materials from the collection.
As an important information resource for the academic community, the library provides students, faculty, staff, and the local community with books, periodicals, online databases and other materials in a variety of formats which serve to:
Although the library at Mitchell Community College is primarily responsible for the quality of the collection, the selection of new materials and the withdrawal of materials are activities shared with other members of the college community. The librarians will work closely with faculty liaisons from all subject areas to evaluate their subject areas of the collection. Since collection assessments represent a significant investment of time, the library will spread the impact over a five-year period. Each semester, the focus of the assessment will be on those parts of the collection that support the AAS and transfer program. This process will ensure that each program and discipline is reviewed at least once during a five-year period. All campus libraries will evaluate the same curriculum areas simultaneously with the exception of programs which are unique to one campus.
Librarians and instructional faculty initiate most purchase requests. Students and other staff are also encouraged to suggest additions to the collection. When appropriate, the library will order items requested via interlibrary loan through the NC Community College Consortium.
The library fully supports the philosophical and ethical guidelines set forth in the American Library Association's (1996) Library Bill of Rights and Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries (Association of College and Research Libraries, 1999).
Disclaimer of Liability and Endorsement: Mitchell Community College LibGuides contain hyperlinks to third party websites. Mitchell Community College is not responsible for and does not routinely screen, approve, review or endorse the contents of or use of any of the products or services that may be offered at these websites. In no event will Mitchell Community College be liable for any damages or losses whatsoever resulting from or caused by accessing third party websites via LibGuides. While LibGuides are updated periodically, no guarantee is given that the information provided is correct, complete, or up-to-date. Users of Mitchell Community College LibGuides do so at their own risk.