Evaluating library resources for accreditation: results of a study.

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences Librarianship
• Academic Library Collections
• Nursing Education Resources

Background:

• The University of Illinois Library of the Health Sciences conducted a comprehensive evaluation of its nursing collection in 1990.
• This evaluation was part of an accreditation self-study for the National League for Nursing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the adequacy of library resources supporting nursing studies.
• To evaluate faculty involvement in resource selection and collection completeness.
• To review user services and resource accessibility.

Main Methods:

• Checked library holdings against established lists.
• Analyzed conspectus and comparative statistical data for collection evaluation.
• Documented faculty input in organization and collection development.
• Reviewed user services, on-site, and remote access methods.

Main Results:

• The library's nursing collection was found to be comprehensive.
• Faculty participation in collection development was documented.
• User services and access methods were reviewed.
• The library provided acceptable support for nursing studies.

Conclusions:

• The nursing collection at the University of Illinois Library of the Health Sciences met the requirements for accreditation.
• The library effectively supported nursing education programs at the University of Illinois at Chicago.