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About the Library

An overview of library policies, codes of conduct, collections, classifications, and procedures.

Library Mission & Goals

                               Library building as seen from the Old Oak next to the Old College building.

The Thomas J. Garland Library strives to provide a learning environment that meets the information needs of Tusculum University students, faculty, and staff. This mission is accomplished through the provision of information resources and services that support the teaching, learning, research, and service needs of the University community.

The Thomas J. Garland Library serves the educational and informational needs of the community of individuals collectively known as Tusculum University. It is the central resource for academic information and the “academic heart” of the entire institution. The Garland Library strives to bring the TU learning community together by:

  • Providing for effective reference, circulation, and referral services for all users.
  • Acquiring, organizing, and providing access to a variety of current information media in support of degree programs.
  • Acquiring, organizing, and servicing a variety of current print and non-print media. Management of this program shall have as its base faculty participation in selection and de-accession (“weeding”).
  • Insuring for continuous information literacy instruction for all Tusculum University students in collaboration with the faculty.
  • Providing general library orientations to new freshman in the Tusculum Experience course.
  • Providing additional learning and library instructional opportunities for all library users through individual face- to- face reference and research assistance and through other communication media such as phone, email, librarian chat, online tutorials, and online forms.
  • Providing facilities and a learning environment conducive to effective study, research, and information access, with appropriate attention to helpful circulation and security processes.
  • Acquiring and employing the latest technology to support instruction and research.
  • Providing cost effective interlibrary loan services employing local and national standards.
  • Cooperating and coordinating with other libraries within the nation, state, region, and county on matters of mutual interest with emphasis on serving students enrolled in Adult and Online programs of the University. Attention will be paid to the establishment and maintenance of appropriate formal and informal usage agreements with other libraries.
  • Insuring timely compilation and publication of library policies and procedures, hours, and deadlines, so as to allow the greatest convenience to those impacted.
  • Providing educational opportunities for staff development through participation at professional meetings and through informal workshops.
  • Participating in the collective academic governance of the institution.