A&M International's Killam Library to Increase High Tech Services

Texas A&M International University's Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library has recently been awarded a $75,000 grant from the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) Board, which will greatly expand the University's ability to assist its students.

"We are pleased about this opportunity to improve on the availability of high tech equipment for the students of Texas A&M International University. These funds will allow us to accelerate the development of computing infrastructure in the library," said Rodney Webb, the library director and project director for this grant initiative.

TIF is a state agency dedicated to building the technology infrastructure throughout Texas. Killam Library will use the grant to replace a number of public access workstations and purchase a dedicated library web server, which will expand the library's web-based services.

The library will also acquire equipment and software to improve interlibrary loan services. The new software will allow students and faculty to submit interlibrary requests via the web and facilitate email delivery of requested materials. The software is designed for more efficient processing of interlibrary loan requests.

Also, the library will purchase necessary equipment and software to offer electronic reserve reading materials to support distance learning. The pilot project, projected to begin in Summer 2002, will allow participating distance education faculty to submit articles for scanning and posting on the library web server. Distance education students will be able to read these materials over the web without having to go to the library. The University will enhance its ability to deliver learning resources to students off campus and offer them almost unlimited hours of access to those resources.

Eric Elmore, automated services librarian and web coordinator at the Killam Library, will provide the principal technical expertise for the project and David Ratliff, reference/interlibrary loan librarian, will have key responsibility for the interlibrary loan and electronic reserves initiatives.

Since its creation by the 74th Legislature in 1995, TIF has awarded approximately $700 million in telecommunications infrastructure grants to its four constituent groups-public schools, libraries, institutions of higher education, and public, not-for-profit healthcare facilities.

For more information, contact Rodney Webb at 326.2400, visit offices in Killam Library, room 216, or email rwebb@tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu