Table of ContentsExecutive Summary
History of South Texas College
Mission Statements
Library Services Administrative Team
Art Gallery and Programming Highlights
LibQual+ Survey
Student Satisfaction Surveys
Community College Survey of Student Engagement
Year-Over-Year Comparisons
2
3
4
5
6-8
9
10-12
13
14-20
ExecutiveSummary
2
South Texas College has deep roots in and commitment to serving the students, faculty, staff, and public in its community and constantly strives to provide exceptional services and resources. Fundamental to the Library Services mission is the idea of community – that we are here to serve, to promote and support learning in comfortable, engaging environments, and to provide the information resources necessary for our students to succeed. 2013-2014 was a productive and invigorating time for Library Services at South Texas College. During this time, Library Services continued its focus on remaining responsive to student and faculty needs by participating in and administering qualitative and quantitative studies,
and as a result, made improvements to its facilities, equipment, and information resources. In addition, Library Services continued its focus on supporting the arts and humanities through exhibits at the Library Arts Galleries and programs covering a wide range of topics from women’s history to Hispanic and African American heritage.
Like the previous years, academic year 2013-2014 continued the energy and change STC Library Services has experienced since 2008. We take pride in our role in helping students to succeed and in our commitment to serving our community – students, faculty, staff, and public, and we look forward to the challenges a new year will bring.
History of South Texas College
3
Before the South Texas College District began
operations in 1993, the Hidalgo-Starr County
area was the only area in the state of Texas
with a population of nearly half a million
people not served by a community college.
South Texas College was created on September
1, 1993, by Texas Senate Bill 251 to serve
Hidalgo and Starr Counties. It is the only
community college in Texas to be established
by the Texas Legislature. A confirmation
election, held on August 12, 1995, established
a taxing district for the College. Seven
districts, based on population, were also
approved for single-member representation on
the Board of Trustees. A community leader from
each of the seven districts was originally
appointed by Governor Ann Richards to serve
on the founding Board of Trustees. Since May
2000, elections have been held for all of the
seats, and all members have been elected.
From its inception, STC was mandated
by the State Legislature to provide
service to residents of Starr and Hidalgo
counties. Meeting the population’s need for
postsecondary education, complicated by the
rapid institutional growth experienced by
STC in the process, has been an enormous but
vital endeavor. It is the one for which the
3
College was founded and charged by the
State Legislature, and it is one to which
the College is committed.
Since its inception, South Texas College
has always been committed to the planning
process. STC’s initial planning efforts
can be traced to December 1992, when the
Steering Committee for the proposed South
Texas Community College commissioned Dr.
Alfredo G. de los Santos, Jr. to prepare
a proposal to the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board for the creation of a
community college in Hidalgo and Starr
Counties. The proposal was submitted in
April 1993.
South Texas College is accredited by the
Commission on Colleges of the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools to award
the Baccalaureate and Associate degrees.
For questions about the accreditation
of South Texas College, contact the
Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern
Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033- 4097 or
call 404- 679-4500. South Texas College is
also approved for veteran’s educational
training in Certificate and Associate of
Applied Sciences Degree programs by the
Texas Education Agency.
Information Services and Planning is committed to providing continued open access to an even greater availability of higher education to STC students by enhancing technology and information services.
South Texas College Library Services is committed to
providing a welcoming, learning centered environment, rich
in quality information resources and outstanding services
to meet the research, instructional and learning needs of the
South Texas College students, faculty, staff and community.
Library Services will accomplish this task by
providing meaningful learning experiences through:
Friendly, professional and prompt service.
A comfortable learning environment with a focus on accommodating various learning
styles and preferences, including collaborative and group learning spaces.
Information and research resources that support college programs and goals.
Quality instruction and consultation in information resources and instructional
and educational technology.
MissionStatements
4
Cody Gregg began at STC in 1995. He has served the college in a wide variety of positions, including
faculty, department chair, and Director of Instructional Technologies. He holds a bachelor’s degree
in English and History, a Master’s degree in English from the University of Texas–Pan American, and a
Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of North Texas. He currently
leads the college’s efforts in libraries and classroom technologies and serves as the Dean of Library
Services and Instructional Technologies.
Jesús Campos joined STC in 2009 as Director of Library Technical Services. He completed his undergraduate
work in Liberal Studies (Great Books Program) at the University of Notre Dame. He then earned a J.D.
at Harvard Law School and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science at the University of
Texas at Austin. He oversees the acquisition of library materials (including books, journals, videos,
and electronic databases) for all STC campuses.
Director of Library Technical Services
Dean of Library Services and Instructional Technologies
CodyGregg
JesúsCampos
NoemiGarza
LeliaSalinas
Director of LibraryPublic Services
Noemi Garza began her career with STC in 2009 as a Reference Librarian. In 2010 she was promoted to
Director of Library Public Services. In this position she manages the Library Public Services area
of all five campus libraries. Her responsibilities include supervising all Library Public Service
staff members working with students and faculty. She also is responsible for collection development,
budget and functions of different areas of Library Public Services (i.e., Circulation, Reserves and
Reference). Noemi received her MLS from Texas Woman’s University in 1979. Since then she has worked
in various libraries (public, prison system and academic). She brings with her over 30 years of
experience.
Director of Information Commons and Open Labs
Lelia Salinas became a member of STC in 1994 and has served at the college in different capacities.
She is presently the Director of Information Commons and Open Labs. She earned an associate degree
in liberal arts from South Texas College and an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with
a Computer Information Systems Major from the University of Texas-Pan American. Additionally, she
completed a Master of Education in Adult Education and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership
from Texas A&M University Kingsville. She leads the Information Commons and Open Labs district wide.
Library ServicesAdministrative Team
5
South Texas College’s Library Art Gallery Program exhibited
the new series by Olga Lydia Escobedo, “The Art of Mexican
Folk Healing”. Ms. Escobedo’s goal as an artist is to merge
pre-conquest indigenous traditions with customs introduced
by Europeans. Today the fusion of the European and Aztec
cultures is known as curanderismo, alternative healing with
rituals and herbs, which is common among Mexican-Americans.
In her art, Ms. Escobedo has chosen to focus on the material
level of curanderismo, and her new series emphasizes the
actual materials used to counter the effects of illness.
Ms. Escobedo’s art was on display at the STC Technology
Campus from June 19, 2014, to August 8, 2014.
“The Art of Mexican Folk Healing:” A new series by Olga Lydia Escobedo
Born in the Rio Grande Valley to a former migrant worker
turned D.C. politician and a Catholic nun turned social
worker, Garcia-Spitz has certainly been exposed to the
dualities of life. Garcia-Spitz received her bachelor’s
degree in English and works as a teacher and a local
photojournalist. Her studies in the humanities developed
her appreciation for the differences between cultures.
This exposure has made her sensitive to the human condition
and its spirit, developing her eye and readying her for
spontaneous opportunities to capture the story. The
portraits that were displayed were taken in passing moments
that were never intended to be documented, but it is within
those stolen moments that the beauty, strength, and frailty
of words and people are captured. Ms. Garcia-Spitz’s
portraits were on display from February 6 to May 9, 2014, at the STC Technology Campus.
“Portrait of a Poet:” Featuring Photography by Ileana Garcia-Spitz
Library Art Gallery Highlights
6
In support of the academic curriculum, the STC Library Art Gallery Program is committed to bringing enlightening and thought-compelling art exhibits with corresponding lectures. In 2013 - 2014, the Library Art Gallery hosted a variety of unique and stirring art exhibits, including the standouts below.
Correa earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications
from Texas Women’s University, is the lead art teacher for
IDEA Public Schools and has been a member of the Texas Art
Education Association supervisory panel for four years.
She was awarded the prestigious Congressional Golden Brush
award for excellence in art education in 2011 and has been
a two-time recipient of the Target Excellence in Education
grant. On the weekends she teaches painting at the Tipsy
Canvas studios and gives art lessons regularly within the
community. While many people believe that artistry and
creativity is a talent only some are born with, Correa is
a passionate advocate for the capacity that every person
has to develop as an artist. Her work is motivated by
creative re-use of seemingly ordinary things, and she draws
inspiration from her family, community, faith, travels,
“Purpose”: Featuring artwork by Cristina Correa
“Women’s Work”: An exhibit featuring etchings by Debbie Little-WilsonLittle-Wilson learned to create etchings in the traditional
and classical method of dry paint, aquatint and intaglio.
After much experimentation, she now creates etchings made
from her drawings and photos that have been altered, using
solar plates and lithography. She then adds color and
pattern to the etching using chine collé, a technique of
cutting and adhering papers during the printing process.
After the print has dried, she often hand colors it. She
uses her artwork to showcase the enduring strength of women.
Wilson achieves this by depicting cowgirls, suffragettes,
and women aviators, as well as other women who exhibit a
sense of attitude and humor. Lately she has included women
who are the “unsung” heroines of women’s history. Little-
Wilson’s works were on exhibit at the STC Pecan Campus from
February 6 to May 9, 2014.
dreams and love of color. Correa’s work was on display at STC’s Mid-Valley Campus from February 13
to May 9, 2014.
7
To start off the fall of 2013, the STC Library participated in a
lecture series celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month that included
many highlights, including a film series and lectures. One guest
was Dr. Carmen Tafolla, San Antonio Poet Laureate, the author
of more than twenty books, and one of the most anthologized
Latina writers. Dr. Tafolla was able to visit three STC campus
libraries including Pecan, Mid-Valley, and Starr. Through a
mixture of performance, poetry reading, and lecture, Dr. Tafolla
brought her literature to life. Students in attendance remarked
that she was an “amazing speaker; funny” and that they felt she
could “relate to some of the experiences some of us have lived.”
In November of 2013, a book tour was held in honor of Joseph Haske,
STC English department chair, for his debut novel North Dixie
Highway. Weaving multiple storylines with vivid descriptions
of characters, Haske’s debut novel brings new life and a unique
voice to the fiction of rural America. North Dixie Highway is
a story of family bonds, devolution, and elusive revenge. The
tour served as book launch that took him to three major campuses
including Pecan, Mid-Valley, and Starr. Included in the book
tour was Juan Ochoa, STC instructor, who also was debuting
a book. Students remarked how exciting it was to see their
instructors accomplish their dreams through hard work.
In the spring of 2014, we launched “Created Equal: America’s
Civil Rights Struggle”, a grant from the National Endowment for
the Humanities with a series featuring movies, speakers, and an
exhibit. The STC Library was one of 473 institutions across
the country awarded a set of four films chronicling the history
of the civil rights movement. To highlight the grant, we had a
visit from Dr. Rhonda Gonzales from UTSA. Her lecture “Audacious
Irreverence: Black Women and the Holy Office in 17th Century
Mexico” brought to life the struggles endured by African women
in Mexico 300 years ago. Many students felt like the footnotes
in their history book were coming to life.
Programming Highlights
8
LibQual+ Survey Results
LibQual+ is a survey used by various libraries, including UT-Austin, Rice, and Texas A&M, to
solicit, track, understand, and act upon users’ opinions of service quality. The survey measures the
helpfulness, caring, concern and dependability of the staff, the comfort, noise level, support for
groups, and support for learning, and adequacy of the resources and the ease of use. While the 2014
survey results were generally positive and showed many areas of satisfaction, there were also several
areas of concern.
These concerns included the ease of use of information resources and the library website; noisiness
and the ability of our libraries to inspire study and learning; the adequacy of print and electronic
journals; and the comfort and inviting nature of our libraries. To better understand the areas of
concern expressed by faculty and students, Library Services conducted additional qualitative focus
group research in the fall 2013. The results of these focus groups served to guide Library Services
in designing improvements to its services and facilities, including the following initiatives that
have been undertaken:
• Began planning for library spaces that support both collaborative group study and quiet
• Expanded after hours computers where possible
• Initiated pilot testing the integration of tutoring into library spaces
• Created a quiet study room at the Nursing and Allied Health Campus
• Began the process of upgrading furniture at the Pecan Campus
The LibQUAL+ survey is scheduled to be administered again in spring 2016. Once Library Services
has received these results, we will once again begin the cycle of continuing improvement to better
serve the needs of our faculty and students, thus demonstrating our commitment to continuous quality
improvement and to data-informed decision making.
individual study at each campus
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Student Satisfaction SurveysEach year, Library Services surveys students to determine their satisfaction with the staff and
computer resources labs in key areas, including helpfulness, the number of hours per week the
Information Commons and Open Labs (ICOL) was used, and whether they would recommend the Information
Commons and Open Labs to other students. Select results from this survey are presented below.
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
35.0%
1 OR 2 TIMES 3 OR 4 TIMES 5 OR MORE TIMES
31.2%
7.2%
2.5%
29.0%
8.0%
2.3%
1 or 2 Times 3 or 4 Times 5 or More TimesFall 2013 31.2% 7.2% 2.5%Fall 2014 29.0% 8.0% 2.3%
How frequently have you had to wait because the lab was full?
Fall 2013 Fall 2014
10
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
1 OR 2 TIMES 3 OR 4 TIMES 5 OR MORE TIMES
26.9%
6.2%3.8%
24.2%
6.7%3.4%
1 or 2 Times 3 or 4 Times 5 or More TimesFall 2013 26.9% 6.2% 3.8%Fall 2014 24.2% 6.7% 3.4%
How frequently have you had to leave without using a computer because the
lab was full?
Fall 2013 Fall 2014
11
Student Satisfaction Surveys
-
200
400
600
800
1,000
YES, DEFINITELY YES NO NO, DEFINITELY NOT
870
187
7 2
Yes, Definitely Yes No No, Definitely NotStudents 870 187 7 2
Would you recommend the Information Commons and Open Labs to other
students?
Students
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The Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE), a product and service of the Center for
Community College Student Engagement, is a well-established tool that helps institutions focus on
good educational practice and identify areas in which they can improve their programs and services for
students. Administered every two years during the spring to mostly returning students, CCSSE asks
about institutional practices and student behaviors that are highly correlated with student learning
and retention. In the survey, students are asked to rank the importance of, their satisfaction with,
and the frequency of use of library services and the open labs. The graph below displays the results
for the past three surveys. The next survey is being run in the spring of 2015.
Community College Survey of Student Engagement
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
2009 2011 2013
63%
84% 82%
73%
90% 92%85%
95% 96%
2009 2011 2013Frequency 63% 84% 82%Satisfaction 73% 90% 92%Importance 85% 95% 96%
Student Satisfaction Survey Results
Frequency Satisfaction Importance
13
Individual Computer Usage
The graph and chart below show a total count of the number of times a computer was used in the
Information Commons or Open Labs during the past four years. This data illustrates the tremendous
demand for computer resources in our STC Libraries.
14
Individual ComputerUsage
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014
651,151 634,375
574,091 562,768
2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014Yearly Total Usage 651,151 634,375 574,091 562,768
Library Services Computer Usage 2010-2014
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Circulation is the checking out and usage of the collection. The graph below shows the number of
times items were checked out from STC’s libraries in the past seven years. These items include library
research and information materials such as books, DVD’s, and e-books.
Circulation By Campus
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014
6,149
8,170
9,756
12,038
7,993
6,549
4,986
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014Mid-Valley 6,149 8,170 9,756 12,038 7,993 6,549 4,986
Mid-Valley
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014
942
1,632
2,612
2,127
2,8593,043
3,512
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014Nursing 942 1,632 2,612 2,127 2,859 3,043 3,512
Nursing
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014
2,571
3,890
2,770 2,836
2,186 2,300
1,639
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014Starr 2,571 3,890 2,770 2,836 2,186 2,300 1,639
Starr
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014
500
767 740
2,140
1,571
9091,026
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014Technology 500 767 740 2,140 1,571 909 1,026
Technology
15
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014
18,993
26,075
32,94131,171
25,419
20,402
17,358
FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014Pecan 18,993 26,075 32,941 31,171 25,419 20,402 17,358
Pecan
Circulation By Campus
16
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
587
1,024
1,929
693
287
805
1,435
2,847
2,033
1,326
689889
September October November December January February March April May June July AugustE-book Retrievals 587 1,024 1,929 693 287 805 1,435 2,847 2,033 1,326 689 889
E-book RetrievalsFY 2014
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
20,789
39,037
66,966
30,473
10,607
27,45135,075
60,162
25,282
15,934 15,4607,790
September October November December January February March April May June July August Journal Database Retrievals 20,789 39,037 66,966 30,473 10,607 27,451 35,075 60,162 25,282 15,934 15,460 7,790
Journal & Video Database Retrievals
Electronic Resource Searches
When users run searches in Library Discovery Search or in a specific database they may or may not
decide to click on any of the results of their search. When they select a result item, this counts
as a search retrieval. A retrieval is a more meaningful measure of user engagement with the resource.
Journal and video database retrievals in FY2014 numbered 355,026. The figure below shows journal and
video retrieval activity by month. These retrievals peaked in November and April.
An e-book retrieval is roughly the digital equivalent of pulling a book off the shelf. E-book
retrievals in FY2014 totaled 14,544, with peaks in November and April.
17
Library Services offers Bibliographic Instruction (BI) sessions designed to teach students how to
efficiently and effectively find information and use library resources. Sessions may also cover topics
such as evaluating information and the ethical use of information. Instructors contact the library
to schedule sessions for their classes. The chart and graph below show the number of BI sessions and
the number of students attending those sessions in the past four academic years. While the number of
sessions saw a small dip from the previous year, the number of students taught has remained relatively
constant.
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Library Instruction
400
420
440
460
480
500
520
540
2008-2009 ACADEMIC
YEAR
2009-2010 ACADEMIC
YEAR
2010-2011 ACADEMIC
YEAR
2011-2012 ACADEMIC
YEAR
2012-2013 ACADEMIC
YEAR
2013-2014 ACADEMIC
YEAR
459
526519
505489
448
2008-2009 AcademicYear
2009-2010 AcademicYear
2010-2011 AcademicYear
2011-2012 AcademicYear
2012-2013 AcademicYear
2013-2014 AcademicYear
Sessions 459 526 519 505 489 448
Sessions
01,0002,0003,0004,0005,0006,0007,0008,0009,000
10,000
2008-2009 ACADEMIC
YEAR
2009-2010 ACADEMIC
YEAR
2010-2011 ACADEMIC
YEAR
2011-2012 ACADEMIC
YEAR
2012-2013 ACADEMIC
YEAR
2013-2014 ACADEMIC
YEAR
8,7859,772
8,951 8,942 9,3097,847
2008-2009 AcademicYear
2009-2010 AcademicYear
2010-2011 AcademicYear
2011-2012 AcademicYear
2012-2013 AcademicYear
2013-2014 AcademicYear
Students 8,785 9,772 8,951 8,942 9,309 7,847
Students
18
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is the service of borrowing and lending materials among libraries on behalf
of library users. The chart below shows Interlibrary Loan activity during the past four years. These
numbers show that STC is a net borrower of ILL materials.
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014
849
1,055 1,057
858837
449
375
454
396
208
458
523
FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014Loans to STC 849 1,055 1,057 858 837 449Loans by STC 375 454 396 208 458 523
Interlibrary Loan Stats
Interlibrary Loans
19
A count of library visitors is collected by electronic gate whenever anyone enters the library. The
chart and graph below report the numbers of visitors to STC libraries for the past seven years.
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014
2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014Mid-Valley 131,754 151,301 203,899 215,461 192,143 207,152 174,228Nursing 33,234 78,091 118,528 114,085 132,273 129,091 130,926Pecan 307,378 344,381 451,797 473,127 524,287 482,082 439,639Starr 42,592 49,799 56,234 57,086 57,058 44,506 51,760Tech 23,840 22,957 22,945 29,853 31,384 27,697 31,159
Yearly Library Visits
Library Visits
20