Project Request: Planning and Implementing the LMDC Proposal of May 1997

Project Request:
Planning and Implementing the LMDC Proposal of May 1997

Below is the text of the $400,000 proposal from last year that was not approved by the Presidents.

I. ABSTRACT: The Library and Media Directors' Council (LMDC) requests funds to conduct necessary planning and begin implementing technologies which will provide Washington community and technical college students with increased access to information resources. This access will result in measurable improvements to the quality of education we offer, as well as clearly visible support for other Community/Technical College (C/TC) objectives. We request $400,000 of ETI interest funds to support this project.

II. BENEFITS: This project will implement the first tasks needed to attain the 4 objectives identified by LMDC's Information Access for Student Success: Library Technology Implementation Proposal, endorsed by the Instruction Commission in May, 1997. These are:

A. to develop and implement interfaced/integrated library system(s) that would allow the college libraries to link to each other and to share each other's catalogs and resources

B. to develop each college library's core and digital collection at a minimum level to ensure that students' basic needs are met at the college where they are registered

C. to expand information access for distance education students, and

D. to provide adequate training for library and media staff as well as staff support for the implementation of the new applications.

By so doing, instructors will be able to rely on a level of resources more in keeping with those available at major urban institutions, thus allowing them to confidently demand higher standards of student performance. In addition, this project will immediately support and strengthen current C/TC initiatives-- such as the WSCTOCC concept and others-- by improving state wide library and information resources, and bringing state distance learning initiatives into compliance with the appropriate accreditation standards.

III. BUDGET AND ACTIVITIES:

1. $50,000 will be used to conduct research and planning, and to assist with the development of the RFP for the statewide library and information system. Effective planning will ensure state-of-the-art technical specifications, and resources that will meet the needs of the community college curricula. Such planning will also ensure that there are no inadvertent conflicts with other state technology initiatives.

2. $350,000 will be used for specific projects. A result of the planning will be the identification of specific tasks that

(a) can be accomplished by June 1999

(b) which will yield measurable improvements to the success rates of the students the C/TC system serves, and

(c) which will support other major efforts of the C/TC system (such as WSCTOCC). These tasks will be implemented and their effectiveness measured against outcome standards set during the planning process.

IV. OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT: LMDC suggests the Distance Education and Technology Standing Committee of the Instruction Commission oversee this project, with appropriate CTC staff and an LMDC Task Force managing the routine operations.

7/29/97

E-mail the LMDC Web Coordinator
Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome.

This page last modified: October 30, 2001