The Information and Technology Services (ITS) component is the one-stop-shop for information sources and educational technology to support instructional and research needs. Services and support, provided through the campus libraries and the ITS Helpdesk, include e-mail, Blackboard, library, computing and other learning resources.
UVI Libraries Strategic Plan 2022-2025
The Library, Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix, was founded in 1964 and was moved to its present location in the Melvin Evans Center for Learning in 1975. The Orville E. Kean Campus Library was founded in 1962 and moved to its present location. It was dedicated in honor of former Governor Ralph M. Paiewonsky on March 16, 1969. The resources and collections of both libraries are oriented toward UVI’s instructional and research programs and are expanded and updated on a continuous basis with input from faculty, staff and students. The libraries’ current holdings of about 161,000 volumes including over 15,000 e-Books and over 200 print periodical subscriptions, and over 20 periodical databases with full-text and indexing of more than 15,000 journals are accessible through a joint electronic catalog, powered by SirsiDynix.
Special collections of Caribbean books, periodicals, and an extensive pamphlet file of conference papers and other materials on the Caribbean round out the printed resources. The Library on the Albert A. Sheen Campus includes the Ralph DeChabert Collection of Virgin Islands and Caribbean Documents; while the Ralph M. Paiewonsky Library includes documents from the Melchior Center for Recent Virgin Islands History. All of these resources are available through the joint electronic catalog.
From the libraries’ website, located at http://library.uvi.edu, or through the Mycampus portal, users can access several scholarly online databases and full-text journals, including American Chemical Society Web Editions; Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), and several general multi-disciplinary and subject specific databases from vendors such as JSTOR, EBSCO, LexisNexis and Gale Group. The libraries also provide access to a growing number of digitized documents on the history and culture of the Virgin Islands through the Digital Library of the Caribbean (dLOC). Membership in regional and national networks, such as LYRASIS (a consortium of libraries within the U.S. and the region), the HBCU Library Alliance, and OCLC (a library services collaborative), facilitate resource sharing, training, and access to electronic cataloging services with libraries worldwide.
Library services include loans of in-house materials, interlibrary loans between the UVI campuses and other external institutions, reference assistance and library instruction. Librarians work with faculty to integrate information literacy in the curriculum according to guidelines and standards developed by the Association of College and Research Libraries and promoted by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The libraries are open to the public every day (except holidays) for a total of 82 hours per week when classes are in session. Intersession hours are posted. All registered students, faculty and staff are entitled to a library card, which must be presented to obtain library services, including the borrowing of library materials and other equipment. The libraries collaborate with the Access and Enrollment Services Office to ensure retrieval of delinquent materials and collection of replacement costs for lost material, when necessary. A community library card service is available through the Preferred User Program (PUP). See the Public Service Policies for additional information.
The libraries on both campuses have Innovation Centers that were established to encourage innovation and meaningful creativity. The rooms are designed to facilitate collaborative teaching, learning and sharing among students and faculty. The centers feature a 3-D printer, computers, projectors, work tables, and white boards.
The ITS staff within the UVI libraries support educational technology resources to enhance teaching and learning. A wide variety of audiovisual materials and presentation equipment is available to faculty and students for on-campus use. Several smart classrooms with instructional equipment for in-class Internet access, computing and presentations are maintained. Videoconference facilities are used to connect with students and faculty on the opposite campus for instruction and meetings. The Blackboard Learning Management System is used by faculty to deliver course materials and to interact with students.
Open computer labs and wireless access points available in key areas throughout the campus provide Internet access and computing facilities. Microsoft computer applications are available on campus through computer labs, smart classrooms and library laptops. Students have access to Microsoft applications in accordance with the University’s licensing agreement.
For information and support of ITS learning resources, contact the Helpdesk at (340) 693-1466.