SANFORD:   The days of flipping through a tray of dusty, tattered cards from the local library's card catalog in search of an elusive book are numbered.  Most libraries have already replaced card catalogs with computers, and many reference materials are being replaced or supplemented by CD-ROMs and the Internet.  The library, along with most other institutions in the world, is changing with the times.

To address this change, Central Carolina Community College has created a library and information technology curriculum, the only one of its kind in the state.  The genesis for this program rose from the troubles CCCC administrators encountered in trying to fill vacancies for library technicians at the college.

"In our hiring we recognized the challenges that we were facing in finding staff able to meet the needs of today's modern library," said Linda Stone, director of library services at CCCC.  "We also knew those challenges were being experienced by other libraries, so we decided to create this curriculum."

As part of the research into the feasibility of starting the curriculum, Nancy Turner, dean of liberal arts, communication and business programs at CCCC, distributed surveys to over 300 libraries and information centers across North Carolina.  "The information I got back showed a definite need for the curriculum," she said.  "In fact, more than 75 positions suitable for graduates of this curriculum exist right now in North Carolina."

Turner said graduates of the program will be considered paraprofessionals.  "Right now there is no standard set for paraprofessionals — this program will set that standard," she said.  "Employers can expect a certain level of specialized training from graduates of this program."

Turner added that nine students have already enrolled in the curriculum, which will begin in the fall.  There is an unlimited cap for students.

Students in the library and information technology curriculum will learn how to use electronic resources for information retrieval, inventory control, information cataloging and classification, program promotion, circulation systems, audiovisual operations, and hardware/software maintenance.  A major emphasis will be placed on Internet development and support.

"Graduates can specialize or be a generalist," said Stone.  "They can find work in the public sector at schools or universities or in the private sector at, say, corporate or medical libraries."

An interesting aspect of the curriculum, and one in step with its commitment to modernization, is that all eight library courses will be offered over the Internet.  This makes the CCCC library program one of only four in the country to offer courses on-line, according to Turner.

CCCC evening librarian Felicity Callis will teach the first on-line course, LIB 110 Introduction to Libraries, starting Aug. 21.  This course will cover the history and future of libraries, the relationship of the library to the community, and library organization.

Students can take all the other non-library related courses in the curriculum — which include classes in English, networking, keyboarding, etc. — at CCCC or at their local community college.  That means that students across the state, and the country, can take this course without ever stepping foot on the CCCC campus.

"Even the required internship can be done locally at a library or information center," explained Turner. "Of course the internship will be monitored and administered from CCCC through on-site visits when possible or through technology, like video or CD-ROM."

The new curriculum is creating a stir in the world of higher education.  "We have been contacted by many universities who are interested in articulating this program to a bachelor's degree and ultimately to a master's in library science," Turner said.  As of now, students in the library and information technology curriculum can earn a two-year associate in applied science degree or exit after one year with a diploma.

"All of this interest doesn't surprise me," Turner continued.  "On our advisory board we have library directors from North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina, the director of information services at RTP (Research Triangle Park) and all the directors of library services in Lee, Chatham and Harnett counties. This is a good, well-thought-out program."

For more information about the library and information technology curriculum, call 919-718-7300 or 1-800-682-8353.

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Article written by Toye Eskridge, CCCC public relations specialist.

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