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About the Library

Mission Statement

To provide library resources, services, and a quality learning environment to enrich learning and support the university’s academic programs and mission of transforming lives for Christian faith, leadership, and service.

Goals

In pursuit of its mission, the library’s goals are:

• To identify, collect, maintain, and provide access to information resources that:
  1. provide support for the university’s curriculum and mission.
  2. are accessible to all enrolled students and faculty members regardless of their location or physical disabilities.
  3. incorporate all formats of material as appropriate including but not limited to print and electronic.


• To provide an appropriate number of librarians and staff who maintain the highest professional standards and exemplify Christian service and attitude for each other and all patrons.



• To collect, preserve, and provide access to the university’s archives, the Restoration History Collection, and all other special collections housed in the Beam Library.



• To teach and promote all aspects of information literacy and intellectual property to the OC community in formal and informal settings.



• To collaborate with faculty in areas of information literacy, collection development, and services.



• To provide an exceptional facility that is accessible to all patrons and a physical environment that enhances and encourages exploration, research, study, and learning.



• To provide a learning environment that encourages life-long learners, critical thinking, academic freedom, and intellectual inquiry within the guidelines of the OC Covenant.



• To advance the image and awareness of the Beam Library including its resources, services, and staff.

Vision Statement

We envision an academic library with:

• Quality holdings and means of access in whatever format is deemed most appropriate.



• A solid base of financial support within the university and the larger community, including the soliciting of gifts and grants, and the building of endowment funds.



• A sufficient number of knowledgeable and service-oriented staff and librarians who can assist in every aspect of information literacy and material access.



• An exceptional physical facility that supports all learning styles and technological needs, meets ADA standards, provides sufficient study and research areas for both individual and group needs, and can maintain, house, and provide access to materials and special collections in all formats.



• A center for the Restoration History Collection and OC Archives.



• A facility that brings together tutorial, technological, and research support for the campus community.



Increasing information literacy programs, e.g., online tutorials, one-hour course, internships, workshops, classroom instruction.


• An active and progressive Friends of the Library program.

Description and History of the Library

The Tom & Ada Beam Library is situated at the center of the campus and is a focal point of learning for OC. The library provides a variety of information resources and information literacy instruction to support the learning environment and educational programs of the university.

Since 1965, the library has been located in the Mabee Learning Center. In 1985, the library doubled its size and enhanced its appearance after the Learning Center was completely remodeled. Following this expansion, the library received two major grants to purchase the SIRSI integrated library system and fully automate the library catalog and other functions of the library. Since that time, OC has constantly increased the amount of online resources accessible through the library.

In 1996, the physical space for the library grew again by acquiring space on the second floor of the Learning Center for the curriculum lab, juvenile books, and Restoration History Collection. In 1999, the Oklahoma Christian University Library was named after Tom and Ada Beam. Mr. and Mrs. Beam were dedicated and long-time supporters of the university and the library is proud to carry their name.

Public Use of the Library

Public use of the library is welcome but borrowing privileges are reserved for current students, faculty, and staff of OC as well as guests who meet specific criteria.

Library Staff

Please send comments or suggestions to library@oc.edu