Facilities and Services
As is found at most institutions of higher learning, the Library and Learning Resources Center are fundamental to the educational mission of the College as well as to the patient care responsibilities of its clinical programs.
Overall, the College has the goal of producing graduates who are active life-long learners, critical thinkers and problem-solvers; sophisticated in their ability to access, critically evaluate and manage information and to apply it in the solution of whatever problems they encounter.
The library space consists of two stories connected by an internal stairway. The main entrance is on the first floor west building with special access for the physically challenged by elevator on the second floor as well.
The space is bright, comfortable, and attractive inside and out which encourages use. It is an effective space for study, research, teaching and most importantly learning.
The library has 88 study carrels and table seating for more than 50 students, in addition to six private study rooms with network access, each which can hold eight or more students. In addition, four mobile audiovisual stations are equipped with a TV/VCR, an audiotape player, and a slide viewer. Current periodicals are displayed in a casual reading lounge on the first floor.
Library Services
Inter-library Cooperation
The library belongs to several consortia for the purpose of sharing resources and expertise and for reciprocal document delivery (Interlibrary Loans).
These include:
- The Association of Vision Science Librarians (AVSL) Consisting of librarians from U.S. and International optometric schools and hospitals that specialize in ophthalmology.
- Delaware Valley Information Consortium (DEVIC) Libraries in hospitals, pharmaceutical firms and small to medium-sized schools for health professionals in the Philadelphia area.
- Basic Health Sciences Libraries A consortium of consortia in the Northeastern Region of the National Library of Medicine’s regional network
Copy Service
There are three photocopy machines in the library for use by patrons at $.10 a copy. The machines will accept coins, or a copy card can be purchased. The library staff provides copy services for faculty members.
Computers
Computers are available for the use of students in The Center for Computer Assisted Learning (CCAL). A total of 42 advanced multimedia computers offer direct Internet access through the school’s T1 connection. CCAL provides student access to instructional software, tutorials and medical and pharmaceutical databases. It also gives them access to e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics and database programs, and to the College's own eCampus. Printing needs are serviced by two workgroup laser printers. In addition, four Macintosh computers and two scanners and a CD Re-Writer are available in a connected room.