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Connors State College Libraries
2013 – 2014 State of the Library
Westbrook Library, Warner, OK
CSC-NSUM Library, Muskogee, OK
Prepared by Karen Harmon, MLIS
Connors State College Libraries
2013 - 2014 State of the Library
Table of Contents
Welcome …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 3
Library Overview ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. Pages 3 - 4
Resource Changes ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 4
Grants and Programming …..……………………………………………………………………………………. Page 4 - 5
Statistics and Assessment Overview ………………………………………………………………………… Page 5 - 6
Fall 2013 Library Survey Results …………………………………………………………………………….Pages 6 - 14
Faculty Survey ……………………………………………………………………………………………. Pages 6 - 10
Student Survey …………………………………………………………………………………………. Pages 10 - 14
Our Staff ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Page 15
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Page 15
Page 2|Connors State College Libraries 2013 - 2014
Welcome
The year 2013 – 2014 brought about several changes to the Connors State College Library
system. With the retirement of Mrs. Margaret Rigney, our dedicated library director for 18
years, came the opportunity for us to spread our professional ability to both campuses. Jolene
Armstrong has stayed in the Westbrook Library as their librarian, and Karen Harmon came on
board as the librarian in the CSC-NSUM Library. We both want to welcome you to our facilities,
and to encourage you to review our 2013 – 2014 State of the Library Report covering our
services, statistics, assessments, and discussion of what our libraries provided for the Connors
State College campuses this year.
Library Overview
The mission of the Westbrook Library and CSCNSUM Libraries is to provide instructional
materials, information services and collections
to support the curricula offered by Connors
State College and to meet the informational and
research needs of students, faculty, staff, and
administration. The libraries also promote the
cultural, recreational, personal and professional
development of the Connors State College
Community. Our libraries have made the
commitment to optimize the services and
resources provided to our communities.
Kelly Cook helps a student find databases
We are constantly evaluating the resources we provide: print, online, and services. This year
we have made changes to our website and added online services such as Interlibrary Loan in
order to reach more students. We have expanded our catalog services by implementing
Summon in January and call slips. Facebook has become a regular communication avenue to
keep our patrons informed.
We continue to reach out to the community through Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma! Grants
including “Not for Children Only” in the Spring 2013 and “Oklahoma Private Investigations” for
Spring 2014. In addition, the CSC-NSUM Library and Northeastern State University (NSU)
Library – Broken Arrow, were awarded the “Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys”
Grant from the American Library Association (ALA) and the National Endowment for the
Humanities (NEH). With this grant the CSC-NSUM Library enjoyed the addition of 25 books and
4 DVDs to our collection. In November 2013, CSC-NSUM Library and the NSU-Broken Arrow
Page 3|Connors State College Libraries 2013 - 2014
Libraries teamed up again to apply for the Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week
Grant. This will provide the opportunity to reach out to our libraries’ communities by making
our patrons aware of the helpful resources we have and by holding a community fair of area
organizations that provide assistance to those in need. Becky Rayborn, library technician, in
the CSC-NSUM Library has viewed these grants as an opportunity to “give back to Connors
what they have given to me over the years of my schooling and employment here. They
provide the chance to highlight the school and library and their efforts to improve our
community; even the ones we don’t get awarded. It still highlights our efforts.”
Resource Changes
Summon-LASSO
We installed our Summon discovery service in January, 2014. Kelly Cook named it LASSO
since it ropes all of our holdings together and stays with the rodeo subject many of our
students enjoy.
Databases
In May, 2014, we assessed the cost per use of our databases and used this information
to make decisions to keep or discontinue subscriptions. We discontinued the subscription for
one database.
Brodart-McNaughton
In April, 2014, we adjusted our McNaughton contract to include more DVD’s, less Audiobooks, and fewer Warner Books. We kept our Muskogee library books request the same.
These changes allow our library to meet the demand for current DVD’s.
Grants and Programming
Let’s Talk About It: Oklahoma!
Provided by the Oklahoma Humanities Council, this $1,000 grant pays Honorarium and
Mileage fees for Scholars to present and lead discussion of books from a chosen topic. In the
Spring, 2013, the topic was Not for Children Only. This proved to be a popular season with an
average of 10 attendees at each of the five events. Partnering with Northeastern State
University Library, Becky Rayborn was instrumental in securing this grant and has adopted
Let’s Talk About It: Oklahoma! as a biannual event enjoying not only the events themselves
but also their planning and execution.
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Bridging Cultures Grant
This grant was awarded for the Fall, 2013, by the National Endowment for the
Humanities and included material for our collection supporting a Muslim theme. We
partnered with the Oklahoma Humanities Council to provide Let’s Talk About It: Oklahoma!
events during the Fall semester. Becky Rayborn of Connors State College Library and the
Northeastern State University Library were partners for this series as well.
Career and Financial Planning Resources Brunch and Learn
Karen Harmon, CSC-NSUM Librarian, teamed up with Kenard Booker, Director of
Student Support Services, and offered instruction as to the use of our Career Planning
Databases and financial planning. There were 14 students in attendance and they enjoyed
pastries while learning about our resources and financial planning and discussing concerns
they had regarding these topics and their futures.
Muskogee Area Service Organization Fair
Becky Rayborn dreamed of offering Connors State College students and the area public
a place to find services to help all types of need. Along with Karen Harmon, she planned the
first Muskogee Area Service Organization Fair held in the Northeastern State University
Administration Building foyer on the Muskogee West campus. With 17 service organizations in
attendance the over 40 attendees discovered many ways to find help and had numerous
concerns addressed during the fair. It was so successful that future fairs are already being
planned.
Statistics and Assessment Overview
Statistics about the Connors State College Libraries are brought up to date semi-annually and
create a picture of useful information to assist in the library’s strategic planning and
assessment efforts.
CIRCULATION
Our circulation figure includes attendance at orientations, library website hits, interlibrary
loan, circulation check outs, renewals, material use in the library, tests proctored, computer
use, group study, and database searches. Our total circulation for the 2013/2014 school year
was 311,628.
COLLECTIONS
Our collection use is divided into circulation check out, renewals, circulation books used in the
library, reference book use, periodical and reserve material use. Check outs totaled 2,788 and
renewals of those check outs were 1,090. Materials used in the library included 248 circulation
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titles, 30 reference items, 1,826 periodicals, and 694 reserve items were used throughout the
year.
BUILDING USE
The number of patrons entering our libraries varies from campus to campus. Our Warner
campus library welcomed 22,075 patrons through its doors. The Muskogee West campus
library opened its doors to 37,301 patrons. Our Port campus enjoyed hosting a librarian 5
hours a day, one day per week for the fall semester only and helped 151 patrons by answering
questions or checking out books at the library table in the rotunda.
REFERENCE
Our average reference numbers for each month equaled 1,339.
INFORMATION LITERACY
We held a total of 97 database orientations in 2013/2014. The total number of students
attending those classes was 1,461.
Fall 2013 Library Survey Results
Faculty and Staff Survey
We conducted an online faculty survey of our library resources in December, 2013. Of the 48
responses, 60.4% were Faculty and 39.6% were Staff. While we did not separate the questions
into the different campus libraries, we did ask which campuses they were based out of and
41.7% were Warner, 45.8% Muskogee, and 29.2% Port. The total of these percentages reflects
those few employees who are based on more than one campus.
Students work in the computer lab in the MW Campus Library
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The largest majority, 50.0%, spend 1-2 hours per
week using our library and its resources. 37.5%
reported they do not use the library. Hours
equaling 5 or more are spent by 8.3%, and 3-4
hours are spent by 4.2%. While we are glad to see
62.5% of respondents use the library and its’
resources, we would truly like to see a larger
percentage in the coming years. We have
increased our online presence and hope that this
will make our resources more available to the
faculty and staff. We are also determined to
advertise our services more. We included a flyer
regarding our services in the In-Service folders
this year. We instructed faculty in the use of our
online services at In-Service on January 8, 2014.
We began a blog post linked to from our home page and several of the inner pages of our
website to announce programming and new services giving our patrons access to these
announcements where they are. We have implemented QR Codes in several of our flyers to
advertise our services and programming. With these changes we hope to see an increase in
faculty use of our services and resources in our next Faculty and Staff Survey.
In addition, the survey results reflect that many of our faculty and staff are very satisfied or
satisfied with our resources. These include books, DVD’s and VHS, equipment, newspapers,
magazines, periodicals, databases, computers, interlibrary loan, and the ITV space in our
Westbrook Library in Warner. The survey did show one response showing dissatisfaction with
the DVD’s and VHS collection, databases, computers, and ITV space. For our Connors State
College Library features such as library staff, furniture, computer access, website, hours of
operation, study space, noise level and atmosphere, many of the responses were very satisfied
or satisfied. Of the 41 who answered this question, four responders were dissatisfied with the
noise level, one dissatisfied with computer access, one dissatisfied with the website, and one
very dissatisfied with the furniture. These were all from the Muskogee West Campus. One
responder was very dissatisfied with the Warner Campus Library hours of operation. We asked
for a text response providing suggestions for improvement of any of our library resources and
received several suggestions which include:
 I would like to see the library offer either the JSTOR or Project Muse databases. Also, it
would be helpful to students if the libraries were open at least a few hours on Saturday
or Sunday. This would be very helpful for those students who have busy class/work
schedules during the week and need library time on the weekend.
 Too loud in the library, although I know it is used for classes at times.
 Add DVD movies for checkout in Muskogee. Add some sort of noise barrier to keep the
noise level down between the counter and study area. I know when I speak with the staff
I feel like I am bothering students on the computers and those who are studying. Overalllove the Library and staff!
 When a class is using the library, there should be another area designated for students
who need to test or study, rather than tell them to come back after the class is complete.
 I’m glad you are available. Maybe longer hours.
 I would like more computers in the library in order to not have to send students away
when there are classes.
 I don’t use the library at this time. I work full-time in another town and drive to Port
Campus on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
We asked whether the faculty would find a group collaboration space created in the
Westbrook Library useful for themselves or the students. Of those who responded, 32.5% said
Page 7|Connors State College Libraries 2013 - 2014
yes, 7.5% said no, and 60.0% said they had no opinion. We also asked for suggestions and
received a few text responses:




GearUp Student educational activities.
I would use the space for students to make a video.
Being able to make videos.
Great idea!
Intensive studying in the Warner Campus Library
In regards to databases, we asked if the faculty require students to use online library
resources. The responses were divided as yes (30.0%), no (30.0%), and not applicable (40.0%).
While discouraged that more of our faculty do not have their students use them, we are glad
to have been able to show our new LASSO discovery tool to the faculty at in-service. This
service has simplified our resource search into one function and we have been making it the
priority in our orientations.
We also asked if faculty request a library orientation presentation in the early part of the new
semester. Of those responses, 22.5% said yes, 40.0% said no, and 37.5% said it was not
Page 8|Connors State College Libraries 2013 - 2014
applicable. For those who said yes, we asked them to rate their satisfaction and all were either
satisfied or very satisfied. We had a few responses and they include:
 I have done my own in recent semesters. What we need is a simple, direct explanation of
the databases used by our students—nothing more.
 Kelly does a great job.
Another question we asked probed the professional opinion of the faculty as to whether they
have confidence in their students’ ability to find authoritative information resources. The
results broke down into 19.4% with a high level of confidence, 52.8% with a moderate level,
22.2% with a low level, 2.8% with a very low level, and 2.8% with no confidence at all. As you
can see, faculty is reasonably confident with most of the students’ ability to discern
authoritative resources. This may increase the probability that our students will successfully
complete library orientations and walk away learning the techniques necessary to be
successful in this task.
Even the best of students need quiet moments
When asked whether faculty would use online tutorials to learn themselves, or to teach
students how to research databases, they answered with 60.0% saying yes, 12.5% saying no,
and 27.5% answering with no opinion. This caused us to create a tutorials page on our
website.
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For the question regarding which databases were used the most, 33.3% responded that they
do not use the databases. The database with the greatest percentage was Academic Search
Premier at 33.3%. Education Research Complete took second at 30.6% and Films on Demand
took third at an even 25.0%. Most databases reflected some use. There were five that did not
and they included Consumer Health Complete, Health Source: Consumer Edition, MAS Ultra,
Professional Development Collection, and Psychology Collection. We did not have 100%
participation from faculty so it would not be proper to base database decisions on these
results, but it will help in noting the few in which many faculty rely on the most.
We also wanted to get a feel for the opportunity to teach a one hour credit course covering indepth information research skills. When asked if faculty and staff would encourage students to
enroll in a one credit hour course the responses reflected 57.9% yes, 7.9% no, and 34.2% had
no opinion.
Our final question covered the best way to communicate and 97.5% said that e-mail was the
best way. They also find the website as a useful way to communicate at 30.0%, print brochures
received 15.0%, and Facebook 7.5%. No other communication options were offered as ideas
by the responders such as Twitter or Instagram.
Student Survey
Our 2013 Student Survey gave us insight into what we are doing well and gave us suggestions
for changes. Of the 123 persons that filled out our online or paper student surveys, 104 were
full-time students, 16 part-time, and 3 were non-students. The participants’ class locations
vary from Warner, Muskogee, and Port to a combination of the two or three. 89 students
answered the question as to how often they use our resources and 17% responded with the
use of 5 or more hours per week. 48% use the library and its resources 1-4 hours per week and
7% indicated they do not use the library.
Our next question asked about the use of our
resources and the level of satisfaction for those
resources. Our computers and the databases
showed the greatest response. 95% participants
were either very satisfied or satisfied with our
databases. 5% of the respondents were either
dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Our computers also
received positive remarks with 97% of respondents
being very satisfied or satisfied. Only 3% of
participants are very dissatisfied with our
Page 10|Connors State College Libraries 2013 - 2014
Student checks out library books at the
Port Campus Library Table
computers. An overview of the response to our books, DVD, VHS, print newspapers, print
magazines, and periodicals shows 46% of the respondents did not have an opinion, but of
those who did 97% were either very satisfied or satisfied with these resources. 3% were
dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. The response to our available equipment for checkout
revealed that 48% had no opinion. Of the respondents who did have an opinion, 97% were
either very satisfied or satisfied, 3% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Finally, the response
to our interlibrary loan question showed 56% of the respondents had no opinion. Of those
who did, 95% were either very satisfied or satisfied and 5% were dissatisfied.
Even more enlightening were the responses to our question regarding satisfaction with library
staff, furniture, computer access, online resources, website, hours of operation, study space,
noise level, and atmosphere. Beginning with the library staff, 89% of the respondents were
either very satisfied or satisfied with the library staff, 2% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied
and 9% had no opinion.
We asked for suggestions to enhance the library’s collections, resources, or its’ atmosphere
and received quite a few responses. We have those responses broken down by campus in
order to be able to address the issue or praise the library where the praise is due.
Warner responses:
 I would greatly appreciate the library being open on the weekends for more study
time. I am a full time student, with a job on my off hours, and rodeo practice 4 out
of the 5 week days. I live off campus and come to the library to study and use the
internet it’s very hard for me to fit sufficient hours in during the week to study
there. Opening on the weekends would make it much more efficient for me to
keep up with all my classes. Millers crossing is always open for internet access but
it’s just not the same as all the resources and it is much to loud to concentrate
with all the washers and dryers going in the back ground. I love the library feel and
my only complaint would have to be that not being open on the weekends and I
would love to see that changed in the next semester.
 couch
 good as is. Keep up the good work
 more up-to-date fictional books
 needs to be bigger and more loved with space enough for it to be loved/used to its
fullest. Needs to be lively
 more quiet areas to study, with computer preferably. Later times on Fridays would
be nice or Saturday mornings. Newer books for some of your non-fiction: Histories,
Humanities, English
 Great!
 It’s doing pretty good I think.
Page 11|Connors State College Libraries 2013 - 2014
 Sometimes it gets too noisy for a library atmosphere when taking tests or trying to
study
 Maybe get more computer work stations, and more DVDs in the collection
 Open on weekends
 Stay open longer
 I’m very pleased with the staff, as well as the resources and atmosphere.
Muskogee West responses:
 Often times I go into the library and a class will have it reserved and I can not do
my homework. I would like to see more computers or another computer area for
those who aren’t in that class. The noise is often loud because it’s near the entry of
the building.
 The library is already comfortable and easy access to any information needed.
 Separate computer lab would be nice, others on campus are only for nursing
students. Some students misuse the success center. Sometimes classes require all
computers for typing papers which should be done on student’s own time. Those
with online or blended classes are at the mercy of open computers. Computers
users also add to the noise for studying and traditional library use.
 I would like to have some more comfortable seating similar to those found at
bookstores.
 I think the library is a great asset to Connors. The staff are all wonderful and very
helpful. I hope they receive the recognition they deserve.
 Need semi/private rooms to have study groups in that will not create noise in
library.
 Lower the noise from staff and students alike. Provide more hours of operation.
 Need more computer space for classes
Port responses:
 The library needs a few more Bibles
 Need more computer space for classes
 I would like to see a full library at the port campus but other than that I am very
pleased with the library.
 Some of the chairs with desktops aren’t really usable to take tests on, I would like
to have more tables/chairs for when I have to use my laptop or take tests.
 More books current to classes, force quiet, and make website more user
friendly/fix html and coding.
 I think the library is great how it is when I go it’s very quiet and have a relaxing
atmosphere and I enjoy it.
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 It is sometimes frustrating when the library is used for classes which make the
computers unavailable. The college should have more classes with computers so
the library is available for study.
 Need more computers.
 Open earlier during the school year.
 There are none.
 Please increase the number of fictional titles in Muskogee
 Honestly, you all do a great job. I really appreciate all of your hard work. You all
have helped me a lot. Thanks 
We asked if the students would use a collaboration
space in the Westbrook Library on the Warner
campus. Of the respondents, 28% had no opinion. Of
those who did, 86% stated they would use the space
and 14% responded they would not.
New bench seating purchased
as a result of the survey.
When asked whether the students have attended a
library orientation and whether they helped the
students to understand the library and its resources,
46% stated they have not attended a library
orientation session. Of the respondents who have,
97% either strongly agreed or agreed that the
orientation session helped them to understand the
library and its resources. The other 3% disagreed that
the orientations were helpful.
Our next question asked whether students would use online tutorials to learn how to research
databases. Of the respondents, 15% had no opinion. For those who had an opinion, 73%
stated they would use online tutorials and 27% did not think they would.
We asked two questions directly related to our databases. One was a statement as to whether
the students get enough information to meet their class needs when they use the library
databases. Of the respondents, 7% stated they do not use our databases, 91% either strongly
agreed or agreed they do get enough information, and 2% either disagreed or strongly
disagreed. Our other database question listed all of our subscribed databases and asked which
ones the students chose to use. Here is a breakdown of the responses:
Name of Database
Academic Search Prem.
42
Name of Database
Funk & Wagnals New
World Encyclopedia
Page 13|Connors State College Libraries 2013 - 2014
3
Name of Database
Nursing & Allied Health
Collection
12
Agriculture Collection
9
Gale Virtual Reference
Library
Agriculture Journals
8
Green File
16
America’s News
34
2
Business Source Premier
CINAHL Plus with FT
Consumer Health
Complete
CREDOreference
Education Journals
70
2
GreenR
Health Source: Consumer
Edition
Health Source: Nursing
21
19
5
21
17
Learning Express Library
MAS Ultra
MasterFile Premier
5
6
3
Education Research
Complete
ERIC
Films on Demand
49
16
17
MEDLINE
Military & Gov Collection
Newspaper Source Plus
5
9
6
14
Nursing & Allied Health
Source
Opposing Viewpoints in
Context
Professional
Development Collection
12
36
6
PsycARTICLES
Psychology Collection
Small Business
Reference Center
SIRS
Teacher Reference
Center
8
13
TOPICsearch
17
4
25
8
We did have a few text responses which stated:
 Not sure which ones I’ve used
 Google
 Use some but not sure
 Nursing Resources
 Owl
28 responded by stating they do not use the library databases.
Our next question asked if students would consider enrolling in a one credit hour course
covering in-depth information research skills. 26% of the respondents had no opinion. Of
those who had an opinion, 55% stated they would enroll in the course and 45% would not.
Our final question asked the students what the best way to communicate with them would be.
The results were as follows:
Print brochures 12%
E-Mail
51%
Library Website 18%
Facebook
15%
Other
4%
(suggested were bulletin board, phone, signs, texts, twitter and face to face)
Page 14|Connors State College Libraries 2013 - 2014
Meet the Staff
Jolene Armstrong, Librarian, Warner Campus
Linda Reid, Library Technician
*Sarah Kite, Library Technician
Callie Connolly, Library Technician
Karen Harmon, Librarian, Muskogee Campus
*Kelly Cook, Library Technician
Becky Rayborn, Library Technician
Majic Fink, Library Technician
*Denotes those no longer with us at time of publication.
Conclusion
Connors State College’s mission is to be committed to building futures one at a time by
providing quality learning, service and leadership experiences designed to promote excellence
in a global society. In our effort to support the college and its’ mission, we strive to keep up
with the constantly changing nature of library services and needs of the faculty, staff, and
students. We look forward to serving our patrons and being an asset to our community.
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