"Building Institutional Capacity for Data-Informed Decision Making" is the third installment of the Cutting Edge series, which aims to help colleges engage faculty, scale successful interventions, and create a strong culture of evidence through use of data to strengthen their institutional change and student success efforts. Though the…

Describes how two Northern Virginia Community College campuses began using the "after dark" services of DIALOG and BRS to provide their first on-line searching. Indicates that both campuses had positive experiences with these services and plan to continue their use along with the full DIALOG system in the future. (DMM)

Two participants in an international exchange program describe their experiences. Hal Tarr, a technical services librarian at Peirce Junior College in Pennsylvania, exchanged positions with Ivana Kotasek, head librarian at Port Adelaide College in Australia. Both discuss the logistics of the exchange process and their impressions. (DMM)

Describes an instructional telecommunications system in use at Kirkwood Community College, which provides 60 hours of live educational programming weekly to over 20 locations through an interactive delivery system. Looks at ways Kirkwood is providing ready access to a variety of learning resources to off-campus learners. (DMM)

Describes the involvement of the library staff in developmental studies instruction at Chattanooga State Technical Community College in Tennessee. Examines the different approaches to library instruction used in English, developmental reading, and study skills classes. (DMM)

Discusses the decisions involved in the creation of library services in support of the associate degree nursing program at Midland College, such as whether to establish a separate or integrated collection and how to organize the collection. Looks at the philosophy underlying these decisions and the way problems were handled. (DMM)

Describes Portland Community College's Volunteer Tutoring Program and its role in adult basic education, developmental instruction, home instruction, and supplementary basic skills assistance. Includes information on tutor recruitment and training and tips for volunteer tutors. (DMM)

Describes the self-guided audio library tour used as a new orientation method at South Campus Library of Miami-Dade Community College. Discusses why and how the orientation tour was developed, factors promoting increased use, and concerns and problems related to equipment. Offers suggestions for libraries interested in adopting this orientation…

Explains the on-line search services of the library at Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale Campus. Describes a statewide conference for librarians held at the college, a campus professional development workshop for faculty and staff, a classroom instruction program on information retrieval, and a one-credit library research skills…

Explains some of the potential resources community college libraries and media centers can provide to the local business community (i.e., media production and information services). Describes the methods used by Middlesex County College to assess and tap the potential market for its information services. Includes marketing materials. (DMM)

Describes the microcomputing services offered by the Learning Resources Center at Tulsa Junior College to students, faculty, and library staff, discussing such issues as software development, student use of software in the library, and the need for microcomputer literacy among library staff. (DMM)

Describes the library instruction program at Miami-Dade Community College, a self-instructional library skills program consisting of a two-part manual, review exercises, "hands-on" assignments, and computer-scored tests. Reports on faculty and student responses to the program. (DMM)

Provides brief descriptions of six exemplary programs of cooperation between community college libraries and public libraries, illustrating various ways of sharing resources, staff, and facilities. (DMM)

Traces the development of Lima Community College's computer literacy program, which uses the library as the site of ongoing computer education. Explores such factors in program development as funding, hardware choice, and implementation steps. Responds to several myths about computers, e.g., microcomputers take up little space and reduce staffing…

Reviews literature focusing on the involvement of community college libraries in literacy programs. Examines West Hills Community College's developmental/remedial program, highlighting the gains in reading skills of students participating in the library-based program. (DMM)