Recommendation #1:  The committee recommends that the college provide the necessary facilities to allow the library to fulfill its mission.

Critical elements from the Background Information from the SACS Final Report of the Visiting Team:

The long-range planning process should review the practice of allocating library space to non-library activities in order to provide adequate space for the library to accommodate new technology, and expand collections and increase user needs.

The College’s Career Planning and Placement Office previously occupied two rooms in the library (LB101 and LB102).  This department has been relocated to the Arts and Sciences Building thereby freeing up approximately 200 square feet of space for the library.  In addition, the College’s 2000-2002 Strategic Plan lists the relocation of the Learning Skills Center as a high priority.  The completion of the proposed Tri-County Technology Center will likely facilitate the realization of this priority, and free up another 1450 square feet for the library.  Other improvements for the facility are scheduled for summer 2001 including the painting of the second floor and the reorganization of Audiovisual Equipment Room (LB201) for greater student access.  Finally, it should be noted that the College has requested $2.25 million for the library’s expansion and another $225,000 for the library’s renovation in the 2001 Henderson Community College Capital Plan.  If funded, these monies will allow the library to meet current and future growth needs.