DSpace at Agnes Scott College

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Agnes Scott College

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McCain Library 
Agnes Scott .College 
Decatur, Georgia 
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The heritage 
When the McCain Library opened in 1936 it exemplified the best of college libraries. The L-shaped 
collegiate Gothic structure provided space for book collections with very generous growth capacity, but 
it was much more than an elegant repository for the printed word. Then, as now, the library was 
envisioned-as a focal point for academic pursuits. Seminar rooms allowed the instructional life of the 
campus to permeate the library. Plentiful seating in beautiful environments encouraged extended study 
and research, away from the distractions of residence hall life. Other highlights included a film 
projection room, a typing room, art display space and an outdoor reading terrace. 
During the ensuing six decades collections grew and displaced some functions, new services and 
publishing formats were accommodated, and renovations were made in a piecemeal fashion. The 
classroom space was lost, and the reading terrace fell into disuse. Efforts to incorporate new technology 
were problematic and mechanical systems sho~ed their age. By the 1990's the College recognized the 
need to rejuvenate the library facility. 
The future 
The renovated and expanded library: 
■ Provides space to organize, house and access the published records of scholarship in all formats. 
■ Supplies the infrastructure and equipment to access electronic resources throughout the building. 
■ Facilitates closer alliances between the library, classroom teaching, and academic support services. 
■ Creates varied, beautiful spaces for group collaboration, individual study, research, and reflection. 
■ Ensures functional space for service points, offices and behind-the-scenes operational support. 
Building Highlights 
First Floor 
Main entrance and lobby 
Circulation desk 
Reference desk and reference collection 
Reading room / current periodicals 
Cameron Reading Terrace 
Readers gallery (around terrace) 
Second Floor 
Restored special collections room 
Archives office and workroom 
Archives/rare book compact storage 
Library instruction room 
Exhibit cases 
General features 
Stacks capacity for 20 years growth 
Group studies on most floors 
Working fireplaces refitted with gas logs 
Ground Floor 
Educational Technology Center: 
Language Center/ classroom 
Laptop-equipped classroom 
Technology Production Studio 
ASC-TV control center 
Media services office 
Center for Writing and Speaking, 
Writing Center 
Speaking Center 
Library: 
Ground floor service desk 
Elmore Reading Room 
Media collection 
Media carrels and group viewing rooms 
Microfilm collection and reader-printers 
Project T earn 
Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates, Inc.: Architect of Record 
Peny Dean Rogers and Partners : Design Consultant and Interior Architect 
Uzan & Case: Structural Engineer 
HESM&A : Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing 
LRE/Dames & Moore Engineering Inc.: Civil Engineer 
Carol RJohnson Associates, Inc. Landscape Architect 
EDI, Ltd. : DataNoice Consultant 
Ramon Luminance Design: Lighting Consultant 
Kirkegaard & Associates: Acoustical Consultant 
Waveguide Consulting, Inc.. Audio/Visual 
John Roll Associates: Graphics 
Carter & Associates : Project Management 
Beers Construction Company 
Building Facts 
Furnishings 
Tables, carrels: 
Study chairs: 
Lounge seating: 
Office furnishings: 
Lamps: 
Shelving: 
Library seating capacity 
Book Collection capacity 
Educational Technology Center 
Data lines 
Group studies 
Total Cost: 
I 
Building Cost 
Total construction & renovation 
Thos. Moser of Maine, Bernhardt. Kl, Howe 
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Thos. Moser of Maine 
David Edwards, Donghia, Cardefiside, Keilhauer, Kl, McGuire, Martin 
Brattrud, Smith & Hawken 
Haworth 
TSAO 
Spacesaver 
294 seats with 80% (234) wired for power and data 
Approximately 250,000 volumes 
124 seats with 100% wired for power and data 
Over 18 miles of data cable 
9 
$19 million+ 
$12 million+ 
71,126 Square Feet Gross; 61,359 Square Feet Net 


McCain Library

Agnes Scott College Office of Communications

Main Events

Agnes Scott College Dalton Gallery

Bullock, Mary Brown

Xu, Feng

Wang, Caroline

Kaufman, Joan

Village Works: Photographs by Women in China's Yunnan Province

Book Unbound: Celebrating the Reopening of McCain Library

Agnes Scott Alumnae Magazine

Agnes Scott College McCain Library

A Student Guide to the 
Library 
Agnes Scott College 
Decatur, GA 30030 
Fall 2001 
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Library hours when classes are in session: 
Sunday 
Mon.-Thurs. 
Friday 
Saturday 
1:00 p.m. - 
8:00 a.m. - 
8:00 a.m. - 
9:00 a.m. - 
10:30 p.m. 
10:30 p.m. 
6:00 p.m. 
6:00 p.m. 
On Sunday through Thursday nights, the Library remains open until 11 :30 p.m. under the 
supervision of a Public Safety monitor. (Basic circulation service only between I 0:00 p.m. an 
I 0:30 p.m. No library services available between I 0:30 and 11 :30 p.m. If the monitor is not 
available, the library will close at I 0:30 p.m.) When classes are not in session, the library is 
generally open the same hours as campus administrative offices. The library closes for selecte 
holidays, convocations and special campus-wide events. Current library hours are posted on a 
recording at 404-471-6338 and in the "Information & Policies" section of the library webpage. 
• The library webpage and online catalog are available at: http://library.agnesscott.edu. 
• GALILEO requires a password for off-campus access. Contact a library staff member at 404- 
4 71-6094 for the current GALILEO password. 
• For access to other electronic resources, click on "Off-campus instructions." 
Telephone Assistance: 
Circulation questions - x6094 
Ground floor service desk - x6095 
Reference questions - x6096 
Library office - x6339 
Library hours- recording- x6338 
Library fax number - x5037 
Library Staff 
Debbie Adams, Circulation Assistant, x5 l 54 
Michelle Bachman, Media/Microforms Assistant, x6095, ground floor service desk 
Marianne Bradley, Administrative Coordinator, x6339, room 115 
Linda Gray, Access Services Librarian, x6337, room 112 
Resa Harney, Systems and Technical Services Librarian, x6141, room G27 (through G30) 
Dracine Hodges, Acquisitions Assistant, x6342, room G30 
Virginia Moreland, College Librarian, x5277, room I 03 
Elizabeth Morgan, Cataloging Assistant, x6093, room G30 
Sala Rhodes, Reference & Instructional Services Librarian, x6343, room I 13 
Stacy Schmitt, Access Services Coordinator & ILL, x5342, room G26 
Vacant, Evening Circulation Assistant, x6166 
Media Services/ITS Staff in McCain 
Emily Gwynn, Media Services Manager, x6313, room G47 
Tami Stanko, Media Services Technician, x5468, room G 11 A 
Vacant, Instructional Technologist, x6059, room G46 
Writing Center Office 
Beth Godbee. Assistant Director, room G 12 (through G 13) 
T he Library supports the educational program of Agnes Scott College by providing library resources, services and 
facilities to meet the learning, teaching, research 
and personal development needs of our students, 
faculty and staff. Through a combination of 
locally owned materials, resource sharing 
arrangements, and an expanding array of 
networked electronic information sources, we seek 
to foster academic success and individual growth. 
An important component of our mission is the 
cultivation of library and information literacy skills 
that are necessary to intellectual, independence and 
life-long learning. 
Our aim is to provide students and faculty with 
the best of two worlds: the close individual 
attention possible only at a small liberal arts 
college, and the wider access to large collections 
and specialized research materials available at 
university and research libraries in this area and 
beyond. 
New Library Facilities 
The historic McCain Library building has recently 
undergone renovation and expansion, and reopened 
in J anuary of 200 I. The newly enhanced building 
provides space to organize, house and access the 
published record of scholarship in all formats. It 
supplies the infrastructure and equipment to access 
electronic resources throughout the building. The 
new building facilitates closer alliances between 
the library, classroom teaching, and academic 
support services. The facility provides varied and 
· beautiful spaces for group collaboration, individual 
study, research, and reflection, and still ensures 
functional space for service points, offices, and 
behind-the-scenes operational support. 
Collections 
Books and Periodicals 
The Library houses over 210,000 books and bound 
periodical volumes in an open stack arrangement. 
New books are initially shelved at the end of the 
current periodicals in the Main Reading Room. 
The library subscribes to more than I, I 00 
periodicals and newspapers. Current periodicals 
are housed in the main reading room on the first 
floor. Bound periodicals and microfilm backfiles 
are housed on the ground floor. Current issues of 
about 75 periodical titles in the natural sciences are 
located in the Science Resource Center in 
Campbell Hall. 
Electronic Sources 
In 1996 Agnes Scott became a participant in 
GALILEO (Georgia Library Leaming Online), a 
state-wide initiative of the University System of 
Georgia. GALILEO'S web-based interface is our 
primary pathway to over one hundred databases, 
selected electronic reference titles, and full-text 
articles from more than 2,000 core periodicals. In 
addition to GALILEO resources, the library 
provides access to other digital library initiatives 
such as Project MUSE, JSTOR, EthnicNewswatch 
and GenderWatch. The library subscribes to more 
than 600 acadeniic journals in electronic form. 
These are accessible from the library's webpage. 
Media 
Supplementing the print and digital collections, the 
library holds several thousand audio recordings, 
music scores, over 2,000 video recordings, and 
smaller numbers of items in other multi-media 
formats. These items are located on the ground 
floor of the Library. 
Archives and Special Collections 
The College archives and special collections are 
housed in modem, secure space on the second floor 
of McCain. In addition to historical records of the 
College, there are collections of alumnae 
publications and College publications. Researchers 
wishing to use the archives must make an 
appointment with the Reference and Instructional 
Services Librarian. (Sala Rhodes, x 6343) 
Popular Reading 
A small browsing collection includes works of 
fiction and non-fiction of current or recreational 
interest. The browsing collection is located near 
the main entrance on the first floor of the library, 
Collection Development 
The majority of the book budget is allocated to the 
academic programs for faculty book selection. 
There is also a general fund used by the College 
librarian to ensure a balanced collection. 
Recommendations from students for possible book 
purchases are always welcome. They can be made 
via the suggestion box in the online catalog 
"library information" menu, or by contacting the 
College librarian. Further information is available 
in the McCain Library Collection Development 
Policy, available on the library web page. 
Catalog of Library Holdings 
The library's online catalog, SOPHIA, is available 
on the library's webpage, 
http ://1 i brary. agnesscott. edu. 
The catalog includes records of library holdings in 
all formats, including books, periodicals, media, 
microforms and digital resources. 
The two categories not yet fully represented in 
SOPHIA are sound recordings added to the 
collection before 1976 and the Drucker Collection. 
A sound recording card catalog near the media 
collection can be consulted for pre-1976 materials. 
The Drucker Collection of music recordings (LPs 
and CDs) is gradually being added to the catalog. 
A separate Drucker database is available at the 
reference desk. 
Programs and Services 
Circulation Services 
A barcode applied to your student ID card links 
you to the library's automated system and is needed 
for all circulation transactions. 
There are two circulation desks in the library: one 
on the first floor and one on the ground floor. 
Except where noted, all circulation services are 
available at both desks. 
Regular materials circulate for a three-week loan 
period. They may be renewed in person or by 
phone up to three times. There is no limit on the 
number of items you can check out. All material, 
however, is subject to recall after three weeks if 
needed by another member of the college 
community, and should be returned promptly when 
requested. Videotapes circulate for three days 
only. All borrowers are responsible for the material 
checked out in their names. If you loan a book to a 
friend and she loses it, you are still accountable. 
Borrowers are billed for the replacement cost and 
additional fees if materials are lost or damaged. 
Overdue fines on regular loans accrue at the rate of 
ten cents per day. If you receive an overdue notice 
on a book you think you have returned, please 
report this immediately to the access services 
librarian (Linda Gray, x6337). Fines on reserve 
materials accrue at the rate of twenty-five cents per 
hour. 
Removing materials from the library without 
checking them out is a form of theft and may 
constitute a violation of the honor code. 
Reserve Services 
The reserve service is provided to ensure that 
readings assigned for a class will be accessible to 
all the students who need them. Books and other 
items are placed on reserve for a specific course at 
the request of the faculty member. They are listed 
in the online catalog and are requested at the first 
floor circulation desk. Most reserves have a 2- 
hour loan period, but may be checked out 
overnight 2 hours before the library closes. Any 
) reserve item should be returned as soon as possible 
so that other students may have access to the 
material. 
Laptops 
The library has IO wireless laptops which may be 
checked out at the ground floor circulation desk. 
They are for use in the library only and provide 
access to the college network as well as other 
applications. The laptops have a four-hour loan 
period, and a three-hour renewal. 
Reference and Research Assistance 
All professional librarians provide reference 
service and one is available nearly any time the 
library is open. Students are strongly encouraged 
to seek assistance from a librarian for any need 
related to scholarly resources, library materials, or 
information retrieval. Both on the spot help and 
in-depth consultations by appointment are 
available. (Sala Rhodes, x6343) 
Library Instruction 
Part of the library's mission is to help our students 
develop the information gathering and evaluative 
skills that will help them succeed in graduate work, 
careers, and independent life-long learning. While 
some of this training happens in the normal course 
of one-on-one reference consultations, group 
instruction is also offered. 
Specialized group instruction sessions are often 
requested by faculty members for a particular 
) 
course, but librarians are also available to work 
with student organizations, departmental majors or 
other interested groups. Inquiries about this 
) service should be directed to the Reference and 
Instructional Services Librarian. (Sala Rhodes, 
x6343) 
Resource Sharing 
In the current information environment no library 
can possibly acquire all the materials needed by its 
users. Consequently the sharing of resources has 
become an essential part of library operations and a 
natural supplement to the collection development 
process. The library is committed to providing 
optimal access to materials needed for teaching, 
research, study and college operations. 
Interlibrary Loan 
Through the interlibrary loan service, students may 
request the loan of books or photocopies of articles 
that are not owned by McCain Library, Requests 
for materials are placed via the electronic form on 
the library webpage. One to three week turn- 
around time is typical, although emergency 
requests can be expedited. Charges for photocopies 
($1 per article) are the responsibility of the 
requesting individual or his/her department. 
(Stacy Schmitt, x5342) 
Reciprocal Borrowing Agreements 
An important asset to the College is our 
membership in the Atlanta Regional Consortium 
for Higher Education (ARCHE), a consortium of 
twenty-one colleges and universities in the Atlanta- 
Athens area. Tlu·ough the joint agreement of these 
institutions, Agnes Scott College students in good 
standing may request short-term borrowing 
privileges at the other ARCHE libraries. This 
includes at least fifteen participating libraries, 
including those of Emmy, Georgia State, Georgia 
Tech, the Columbia Theological Seminary and the 
University of Georgia. 
To apply for an "Interlibrary Use Card," students 
need to speak to an Agnes Scott librarian, present 
their ID and complete a short form, This helps us 
track the subject areas and courses for which 
supplementary resources are needed. The 
agreement that governs ARCHE requires that we 
make sure the resources of our library have been 
fully utilized before an Interlibrary Use Card is 
issued. Usually this just entails a brief 
conversation and perhaps a quick check of the 
online catalog. 
Each lending institution establishes its own 
policies on loan periods, number of items 
borrowed and services provided. For instance 
some libraries do not allow access to their licensed 
databases or provide only minimal reference 
assistance. For this reason it is best if you can 
conduct most pre liminary reference and 
bibliographic work here at ASC where our own 
staff can give you the time and assistance you 
might need. (Sala Rhodes, x6343) 
Agnes Scott students may borrow materials from 
the Decatur branch of the DeKalb County Public 
Library, To obtain a DCPL card, simply present 
your student ID and a piece of mail which reflects 
your Agnes Scott address. 
Visitors 
Visitors are welcome to use library facilities and 
materials for research and educational purposes. 
Visitors are asked to introduce themselves at the 
circulation desk and to sign the visitor's registry. 
Use of library technology is governed by the 
Computer Use Policy, found on the library 
homepage; visitor access may be limited or 
privileges revoked for violation of policies or 
activity deemed detrimental to the library or our 
primary users. 
Vital Necessities/Miscellany 
Book return. When the Library is closed, return 
books to the outdoor book drop near the main 
entrance. Videotapes, sound recordings, and 
books on loan from other libraries should be 
returned directly to circulation. When the library 
is open, please return all items to circulation. 
Copy services. Photocopy machines are located 
on both the ground floor and the first floor of the 
Library. Microfilm reader-printers are located on 
the ground floor. 
Food and drink are prohibited in the library to 
reduce the possibility of insect infestations and 
potential damage from moisture or spillage. 
Hours of library operation are posted on the 
library information line (x6338) and the library 
web page. http://librmy.agnesscott.edu 
a final word .... 
Confidentiality 
By law and professional ethics, the library is 
required to protect the anonymity of patron 
borrowing records. Intellectual freedom demands 
that library users be able to read material of their 
choosing in complete privacy. With an online 
circulation system, it is very easy to place holds 01 
books checked out and to recall those books for th 
next user. Library staff should not be asked to 
reveal the identity of the borrower of a particular 
item. We appreciate your support of our efforts I< 
ensure the privacy of borrowing records. 
McCAIN LIBRARY 
Collection Floor 
Books 
A-C 
D-H 
J - L 
M-N 
P-PR 
PS-Z 
Folio & Ultrafolio 
New Books 
Browsing 
Reference 
Stack 1 
Stack 2 
Ground 
Stack 2 
Stack 3 
3 
Lobby-1 
Lobby-I 
Periodicals 
Current 
Bound 
Microfilm 
Ground 
Ground 
CD&LP 
Media 
DVD& Video 
Ground 
Ground 
Services 
Circulation 
Photocopy 
Reference 
Reserves 
Ground & 1 
1 
1 I 


A Student Guide to the Library

Catalog 2001-2003

Campus Connection

2000-2001 Silhouette Vol. 97

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