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Learning Resource Centers
The Learning Resource Centers (LRCs) provide library and audiovisual services for Portland Community College.
The LRC provides a full set of policies and procedures for its staff. It is available on request at each LRC. The LRC also publishes a handbook for faculty on how to use services.
LRC RESPONSIBILITIES
Access to Information
The LRC works to help students and staff want and gain the widest possible access to materials.
- Activities - The LRC purchases and organizes a multi-media collection of resources. It promotes their use and monitors their return, so others can use them. It links with libraries throughout the country and uses technology to gain ready access to information. In order not to discourage use of the collection, charges to students and staff are minimal.
- Limitations - The LRC limits full service to the campus centers. Its most complete collection is at Sylvania. It will only purchase materials to be housed in one or more of its centers; it will not purchase office or laboratory collections. To maximize the variety of materials available, it may limit spending for multiple copies or lesser used items.
Curriculum Focus
The primary mission of the LRC is to support the instructional process by providing and promoting use of materials relevant to PCC's curriculum.
- Activities - The LRC encourages faculty selection of materials and will recommend materials to them. It will advise on effective use of materials. It provides database searching, interlibrary loans and extended-loan periods to faculty involved in class preparation.
- Limitations - The LRC restricts use of equipment and expensive resources (films, reference books, etc.) to instructional use. It limits access of outside agencies and the public to materials needed for classes. It reserves the right to refuse the purchase of materials expensive and tangential to the curriculum.
Community Service
The LRC is part of a public institution which encourages use by the public. The LRC, therefore, welcomes the public.
- Activities - The LRC registers community members and extends borrowing privileges.
- Limitations - Non-PCC user privileges are somewhat restricted to protect the needs of faculty and students. They do not extend to precollege students.
Collection Security
The LRC has an obligation to protect/guard/retrieve public property.
- Activities - Each LRC uses an electronic-security system to control unauthorized removal of material. It maintains a database of people using materials, sets timelines for return of materials and charges fines for delinquent users. It will bill patrons for lost or damaged materials and hold transcripts.
- Limitations - The LRC will not fine faculty, but it will bill them for materials held over two quarters.
Legal Responsibility
The LRC follows laws relevant to copyright and privacy issues.
- Activities - The LRC staff are aware of copyright restrictions. The staff will post the restrictions and limit services accordingly. A file of licenses for classroom and public display of media is maintained.
Patron information is not publicly available; staff will not divulge who uses what.