Edith A. Gray Library and Technology Center

The Edith A. Gray Library and Technology Center
Library Mission

The purpose of the Edith A. Gray Library and Technology Center is to provide the information resources and research services necessary to advance and support the educational and cultural needs of students, faculty, and staff as well as the surrounding community which will enable them to function responsibly in a diverse society and contribute to global knowledge. To accomplish this mission, the library delivers exceptional instruction, collections, and services to foster academic success and lifelong learning.

Vision

The Edith A. Gray Library and Technology Center aspires to be the heart of RSTC, integral to the Reid State Technical College’s intellectual and cultural life, deeply rooted in and responsive to our diverse community by becoming an essential catalyst and partner in advancing knowledge for the common good.

1. The Library will inspire creativity, discovery, and lifelong learning through transformative teaching, services, collections, and collaboration.
2. The Library will provide free and equal access to information, knowledge and ideas, promote personal enrichment and lifelong learning, encourage literacy and the love of reading, and foster cultural and educational programs and partnerships.
3. The Library will ensure quality service through positive human connections and an inviting environment.

Core Values

Our library identified eleven core values that we strive to incorporate into our work.

• We prioritize Students First by supporting their learning experiences and removing barriers to our spaces, services, and collections and via servant leadership.
• We promote RESPECT FOR ALL through our inclusive and Equitable Access to Information, Delivery of Instruction, Services, and Collections.
• We promote Exemplary Service via personnel, programming, accessibility, technology, and superior collections, both historical and current, and via servant leadership.
• We seek to create and maintain authentic and meaningful partnerships to effectively communicate the library’s values and priorities.
• We utilize Global Perspectives to help shape our library services and programs.
• We act with Integrity and Transparency and respect privacy while providing reliable information and services.
• We teach and promote Information Literacy to develop effective users of information and ideas.
• We promote Technological Innovation via providing high-quality electronic databases, training, and support for our electronic databases as well as showcasing the benefits and features of our technology.
• We promote Equity, Diversity and Inclusion by providing a diverse and inclusive collection, introducing diverse programming, and expanding learning materials.
• We promote Intellectual Freedom by resisting censorship in our collections and programming.
• We promote Transformation and Visionary Leadership via inspiring change and innovation through personal values, vision, passion, belief in and commitment to the mission.

The Edith A. Gray Library and Technology Center opened on December 11, 2005. It is named in honor of a lifelong resident and educator of Conecuh County. The building is a two story, state-of-the-art, technologically advanced facility located at the entrance of the campus.

The library provides web-based learning resources and services including an online catalog for books, periodicals, and multimedia materials. The library’s print collections consists of a Reference Collection, Alabama Collection, and a current and bound periodical collection located on the main floor of the building, a copier, printers, and computers for student use. The first floor houses the Circulating Collection as well as a collection of fiction and nonfiction best sellers. Located on the second floor are the presidential conference room, classrooms, offices, atrium, commons area, and entertainment area.

The library offers library orientation and tours, reference assistance, and bibliographic instruction.  The library provides services and accessibility to users with disabilities. Additional services for patrons with disabilities are provided when requested.