Chambers County Library and Point University Establish Partnership
Publication date: 24 September 2012
The H. Grady Bradshaw Chambers County Library and Point University have partnered to offer students, faculty and staff a wider variety of print, electronic and database materials. Since the library serves the citizens of Chambers County, Ala., and West Point, Ga., the students, faculty and staff of the University are all potential patrons. Those who present valid Point University ID cards at the Chambers County Library will receive a library card free of charge.
“We anticipate a growing connection between Point University and the Chambers County community as students and citizens share the library facilities,” said Dr. Kim Macenczak, vice president for academic affairs at the University. “The faculty at Point look forward to leading and participating in community outreach programs already in place at the Chambers County Library.” 
Although Point University has a substantial print materials collection, the Chambers County Library will provide an additional 98,000 print, electronic, audio books and downloadable e-books. The library also houses the Cobb Memorial Archives, a collection of local and genealogical materials.
Among the services the Chambers County Library will offer the University in addition to the free library membership is to provide supervised laboratory, internship and practicum hours for students in certain classes; to provide bibliographic instruction and supplemental reference services; and to support the Point University curriculum via the library’s collection development plan when possible.
“Many times students are not aware of the resources that are available via their institutions’ libraries,” said Mary Hamilton, Chambers County Library director. “By working with the Point University library director and other staff members, we plan to be able to direct students to the resources available from Point and from the Chambers County Library.”
As a member of the partnership, the University will also provide services to the Chambers County Library. These include providing speakers from the University speaker’s bureau for library programs; providing volunteers to help process collections in the Cobb Memorial Archives; providing faculty and staff as advisers or consultants for grant opportunities; and providing instructors for the adult lifelong learning courses offered at the Chambers County Library.
- Joy Ugi, Communications Coordinator