SPEC Kit 330: Library Contribution to Accreditation · 157
Texas A&M University
SACS Reaffirmation of Accreditation. Comprehensive Standard 3.8.2
Section 3: Comprehensive Standards Standard 3.8.2, Page 1
Comprehensive Standard 3.8.2
Instruction of Library Use
The institution ensures that users have access to regular and timely instruction in the use of the
library and other learning/information resources. (Instruction of library use)
Judgment of Compliance:
In compliance
Rationale for Judgment of Compliance:
Executive Summary
The Texas A&M University Medical Sciences Library provides a rich and varied array of
instructional programs and aids in the use of the library and other learning/information resources
to the Texas A&M Health Science Center, unaffiliated health care providers and the general
public of Central Texas. Types of instructional programs span library orientations, open houses
and information fairs, personalized one-on-one sessions, clinical point-of-care focused
instruction, customized group instruction, contribution of modules within Health Science Center
courses, and provision of Health Science Center for-credit courses. In addition, library faculty
create a variety of online guides and tutorials and provide point-of-need instruction in the use of
online resources and access problem resolution through an Electronic Resources HelpDesk
service.
Institutional Response
The Medical Sciences Library (MSL) at Texas A&M University (TAMU) has served as the
library of the Texas A&M Health Science Center (TAM HSC) since its beginnings as the
College of Medicine within Texas A&M University. The growth of TAM HSC and its
separation from the university led to the development of a formal agreement between TAMU and
TAM HSC to clearly define and ensure established library services from the MSL and its parent
organization within TAMU, the Texas A&M University Libraries (TAMUL). Through an
Intrasystem Cooperation Contract (Agreement), the TAMUL provides a full complement of
library resources and services to TAM HSC users regardless of their physical location. The
contract establishes the annual TAM HSC financial support for TAMUL, an amount indexed to
total TAMUL budget but which may not fall below a level of at least $1,500,000. It also
provides a cost sharing basis and process for developing collections as new TAM HSC programs
are added [TAMU-TAM HSC Intrasystem Cooperation Contract]. The TAM HSC Institute of
Biomedical Sciences and Technology, located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, has also
maintained membership in the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center, with its
associated library service privileges, since the institute began. The TAM HSC Baylor College of
Dentistry (TAM HSC-BCD) located in Dallas, has long been served by the Baylor Health
Sciences Library (BHSL) in Dallas.
SACS Reaffirmation of Accreditation
Texas A&M University
SACS Reaffirmation of Accreditation. Comprehensive Standard 3.8.2
Section 3: Comprehensive Standards Standard 3.8.2, Page 1
Comprehensive Standard 3.8.2
Instruction of Library Use
The institution ensures that users have access to regular and timely instruction in the use of the
library and other learning/information resources. (Instruction of library use)
Judgment of Compliance:
In compliance
Rationale for Judgment of Compliance:
Executive Summary
The Texas A&M University Medical Sciences Library provides a rich and varied array of
instructional programs and aids in the use of the library and other learning/information resources
to the Texas A&M Health Science Center, unaffiliated health care providers and the general
public of Central Texas. Types of instructional programs span library orientations, open houses
and information fairs, personalized one-on-one sessions, clinical point-of-care focused
instruction, customized group instruction, contribution of modules within Health Science Center
courses, and provision of Health Science Center for-credit courses. In addition, library faculty
create a variety of online guides and tutorials and provide point-of-need instruction in the use of
online resources and access problem resolution through an Electronic Resources HelpDesk
service.
Institutional Response
The Medical Sciences Library (MSL) at Texas A&M University (TAMU) has served as the
library of the Texas A&M Health Science Center (TAM HSC) since its beginnings as the
College of Medicine within Texas A&M University. The growth of TAM HSC and its
separation from the university led to the development of a formal agreement between TAMU and
TAM HSC to clearly define and ensure established library services from the MSL and its parent
organization within TAMU, the Texas A&M University Libraries (TAMUL). Through an
Intrasystem Cooperation Contract (Agreement), the TAMUL provides a full complement of
library resources and services to TAM HSC users regardless of their physical location. The
contract establishes the annual TAM HSC financial support for TAMUL, an amount indexed to
total TAMUL budget but which may not fall below a level of at least $1,500,000. It also
provides a cost sharing basis and process for developing collections as new TAM HSC programs
are added [TAMU-TAM HSC Intrasystem Cooperation Contract]. The TAM HSC Institute of
Biomedical Sciences and Technology, located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, has also
maintained membership in the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center, with its
associated library service privileges, since the institute began. The TAM HSC Baylor College of
Dentistry (TAM HSC-BCD) located in Dallas, has long been served by the Baylor Health
Sciences Library (BHSL) in Dallas.
SACS Reaffirmation of Accreditation
