History

Nestled in the heart of the Ouachita Mountain Region, the University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain was established in 1983 to serve the educational needs of students and residents in the area. The original college library was made possible by a generous donation from the St. John family to support the college’s academic endeavors. Due to the donation, the library was aptly named the St. John Library. The library has seen tremendous growth since its early years and was renovated in 2012-2013 to accommodate the registered students, faculty, and staff at UA Rich Mountain. The renovated area was named the Johnson Learning Commons (JLC) which houses the original St. John Library as well as the Learning Enrichment Academic Center (LEAC), TRIO’s Student Support Services (SSS), and the Coogan Special Collections. The renovation also included study rooms and a computer lab.

University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain Mission Statement

UA Rich Mountain provides transformative education to all learners.

St. John Library, a Division of the Johnson Learning Commons, Mission Statement

The Johnson Learning Commons provides information access and services to information seekers to support instruction and the curriculum of UA Rich Mountain.

Vision Statements

Johnson Learning Commons is every student’s gateway to an expanding world of information.

JLC encourages student learning with a hands-on philosophy that inspires critical thinking and information literacy.

JLC works to instill competency skills in students so that they have the ability to access, retrieve, analyze, review, and utilize information and document sources.

JLC serves as a resource for students to understand copyright and plagiarism so that students document sources and thereby contribute to student achievement throughout their personal and academic goals.

By providing library services, the staff guides information seekers in their pursuit of knowledge and lifelong learning resulting in enriched lives and achievement of personal and academic goals.

Borrower Confidentiality

As required by law, the St. John Library, a division of JLC, protects the confidentiality of each patron. The library staff will not disclose information regarding any patron’s circulation record, i.e., what materials are checked out and to whom. If a book is urgently needed, the staff will attempt to contact the patron about returning the item.

Staffing

The St. John Library is currently staffed by the Director of Library Services and the Library Technician. Any additional staffing is funded through the federal work study program. All planning, allocation of funds, and training of personnel must be approved by the Director of Library Services.
Cataloging

Classification System and Library of Congress (LC)

Classification System

The St. John Library’s collection is cataloged electronically using the Library of Congress classification system (see below). The exceptions are the audio/visual materials and the periodicals, which are arranged by subject.

Library of Congress Classification

A – General works

B – Philosophy, Psychology, Religion

C – Auxiliary Sciences of History

D – History: General and Eastern Hemisphere

E – History: United States (General)

F – History: United States (Local)

G – Geography, Anthropology, Recreation

H – Social Science

J – Political Science

K – Law

L – Education

M – Music

N – Fine Arts

P – Language and Literature

Q – Science

R – Medicine

S – Agriculture

T – Technology

U – Military Science

V – Naval Science

Z – Bibliography and Library Science

All materials added to the St. John Library’s collection are searched through the Library of Congress (LC), where bibliographic records are edited and exported to the online catalog, ensuring that the records meet national bibliographic standards.

The St. John Library seeks to provide information to the UA Rich Mountain academic community that encourages the development of analytical, critical and creative thinking skills. To this end, the library assumes the responsibility for maintaining a collection which represents a wide range of viewpoints. In order to provide such a collection, the library supports the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights , Academic Libraries and Intellectual Freedom | Advocacy, Legislation & Issues,  Freedom to View Statement, and Freedom to Read Statement. Some library materials are controversial and may offend some people. For those patrons who desire that materials be removed must complete the Challenge Form. A committee will be formed to determine if the request will be granted or denied. Access will not be denied due to origin, age, background, or views.

The Coogan Special Collections serves as the repository for special collections materials in the Johnson Learning Commons at University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain. By promoting the use of these resources by the College community, scholars, and the public, its goal is to advance scholarship and further the educational, research, and service mission of the college.

Purpose

The Special Collections collects, organizes, preserves, maintains, and serves as a repository for heritage materials to advance scholarship and further the educational, research, and service mission of the College. 

Usage

The College community, scholars, and the public are encouraged to use the resources found in the Coogan Special Collections/Archive Room of the St. John Library. The room houses historical records of Mena, Polk County as well as the UARM archives.

Materials

The archives serve to preserve the history of the College through the collection of college catalogs, yearbooks, newspaper articles, photographs, brochures, and programs and files of departments as well as organizations on campus.

A designated room within the Johnson Learning Commons of University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain, Special Collections is administratively under the St. John Library. The Director of Library Services directs the area. Support staff includes the Library Technician and student employees.

In its current form, Special Collections was created as one component of a re-organization of library services in 2013. The St. John Library became a component of the Johnson Learning Commons. In 2014, Harold Coogan, retired social science instructor, donated his collection of The Mena Star newspapers to the collection. Other items in the Special Collections consist of a campus history collection, partial book collection from the original St. John Library, modest faculty publications collection, partial collection of Ode Maddox’s memorabilia (State Representative and native of Montgomery County who proposed the bill to establish community colleges in Arkansas), and a partial archival collection of the former Commonwealth College.

In 2014, the room was designated to Johnson Learning Commons (Maddox 216). Prior to that time, Special Collections included the campus history collection, faculty publications collection, archival collections, and photography collection.

Study Rooms

Purpose

The study rooms in JLC were established to provide students and UARM employees with a quiet place to study, work independently, or meet in small groups. Each study room is equipped with resources, including a computer station, whiteboard, and limited office supplies. These spaces are designed to align with UARM’s mission and support collaboration and academic success.

Usage

• Access to the study rooms is limited to currently enrolled students and current employees of UARM.
• The study rooms are only available during JLC’s hours of operation.
• By using a study room, individuals agree to comply with all applicable UARM’s policies and procedures.
• JLC staff reserve the right to deny or discontinue access to study rooms to maintain a safe and productive environment.
• Study rooms are intended for individual study, academic work, and small-group meetings.

Purpose

The Innovation Lab and Technology Hub houses virtual reality (VR) stations, makerspace, and a robotics space for students, faculty, and staff with access to emerging technologies for research, learning, and creative exploration aligned with UARM’s mission. This space supports interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation across academic disciplines.

Usage

• Access to the Innovation Lab/Technology Hub is limited to currently enrolled UA Rich Mountain students and employees.
• The user agrees to hold JLC and UARM harmless for any vertigo, disorientation, or injury caused by the technology or equipment.
• Users will read the health and safety warnings posted in the lab/hub.
• Users who have existing medical conditions agree to consult with a physician for approval before using.
• By submitting content or objects, users agree to assume all responsibility for, and shall hold JLC and UARM harmless in, all matters related to patented, trademarked, or copyrighted materials.
• JLC and UARM are not responsible for any damage, loss, or security of data arising from the use of its computers or equipment nor for the functionality of quality of content produced.
• JLC reserves the right to refuse the use of equipment or production of any content at any time at the discretion of JLC staff.

Johnson Learning Commons adheres to the copyright laws found in sections 107 through 118 of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). One of the more important limitations is the doctrine of “fair use.” The doctrine of fair use has developed through a substantial number of court decisions over the years and has been codified in section 107 of the copyright law. For further information about JLC’s copyright adherence and procedures, please refer to the Johnson Learning Commons Procedure Manual.