4.2.6 COE Standard 5 - Media Services

 

Purpose of WWRC Employment Resource/Media Center

The WWRC Employment Resource/Media Center has a dual emphasis on career development and job search activities as well as the provision of instructional media, media production, and on-line services to address the learning needs of students and to support faculty research, planning, and teaching.  The Employment Resource/Media Center strengthens both the students' and instructors' ability to access current career development and job search information specific to the Virginia labor market in a timely, responsive manner.  In career exploration and job search, the Employment Resource/Media Center is highly utilized by students and faculty, and is regularly accessed individually and/or for small group instruction. 

In support of and to supplement these primary functions consistent with WWRC's mission and vision, the WWRC Employment Resource/Media Center:

• conducts Job Seeking and Keeping Skills classes, essential skills classes, and assistance in developing employment portfolios;
• assists students in registering with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) for employment preparation and the local/regional/statewide job search process;
• operates the WWRC Ambassador Student Leadership Program;
• provides resources and instructional guidance relative to the Virginia Voter Registration Program; and,
• offers literacy resources and activities such as the Writer's Guild
  

While primarily accessed by departmental staff and students of WWRC's Vocational Training Department, the WWRC Employment Resource/Media Center is open to all WWRC residents and day students, staff, and visitors.  

Scope and Availability of WWRC Media Materials and Resources

The WWRC Employment Resource/Media Center, located in the Watkins Activity Building to provide evening and weekend access when the Anderson Training Building is closed, is one of the many resources available to staff, students, and visitors.   Hours of operation are:

 

An inventory of media resources is maintained through a newly purchased, web-based computer software program known as Insignia Software.   This new system was purchased in January, 2017 to replace the prior Athena Library Maintenance System.   WWRC's Media Center inventory includes books, CDs, DVDs, electronic assets, and supplemental teaching supplies.   

All media center computers are equipped with Zoom Text and Read/Write Gold software to provide access, as needed, to computer- based learning and recreational reading resources.  There is wifi access across campus.  

Staffing Identification and Accountability

The Employment Resource/Media Center is staffed by a part-time Media Center Coordinator, with support from a part-time Job Seeking Skills Instructor co-located in close proximity.  Student aides are employed through a competitive hiring process to extend media center availability on evenings and weekends and to assist their peers in using computers, books, and other materials. 

• Media Center Coordinator Core Job Functions and Daily/Monthly Checklist
• Student Worker Core Job Functions, Orientation Overview, and Shift Checklist

User Orientation Content and Processes

The Media Center Coordinator takes an active role in New Student Orientation and provides weekly orientation for new students on campus as to resources available in the media center and the expectations associated with utilizing media center resources.

Staff and faculty are provided orientation upon request.

Facility and Technical Infrastructure

The Employment Resource/Media Center has been temporarily downsized to accommodate a massive, upcoming renovation to the Harold E. Watson Activities Building.  This renovation is tentatively scheduled to begin in Fall/Winter 2017 to be completed in Fall/Winter, 2019.  Ultimately, WWRC is looking forward to an expanded footprint, with state-of-the-art space and technologies for its Employment Resource/Media Center.

The Employment Resource/Media Center's technical infrastructure is supported by WWRC's Information Services Department as part of the out-of-scope network system.    Designated IS staff provide on-site technical support for student computer services available through the Center. 

Budget Parameters

Costs necessary to operate the WWRC Employment Resource/Media Center, to include personnel and non-personnel services, are budgeted within assigned Career and Workforce Development Division (CWDD) cost codes.  Necessary repair and maintenance of media equipment and supplies is completed through WWRC's standard operating policies and procedures and is funded through assigned divisional cost codes.

The operating budget is supplemented, as requested and available, through grant funds obtained by the WWRC Foundation. 

Continuous Quality Improvement – Effectiveness of Media Services

 The Vocational Training Department Media Center Coordinator routinely surveys student and faculty to assess and respond to identified learning resource needs.  Learning resource needs may also be identified through Occupational Advisory Committee meetings based on employer recommendations to meet industry requirements and job skill demands.  Recently, a WWRC Foundation grant was able to supplement the Employment Resource/Media Center budget to purchase some updated textbooks, trade manuals, periodicals, and literacy resources based upon the results of user surveys and in consultation with Training Program Instructors.