VCU Libraries has been named a Center of Excellence for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as designated by The Association of Southeastern Research Libraries.
ASERL, which has some 40 members, represents the region's top research institutions. These members of the largest regional research library consortium in the United States work together to provide and maintain top quality resources and services for the students, faculty and citizens of their communities.
The new Center of Excellence program focuses on government materials. Wise stewardship of resources and greater access to government documents in the Southeast are the program's goals. Center of Excellence status carries with it the role of becoming a "regional expert" for that agency or subject matter. Expertise includes gathering a collection that is as complete as possible, creating access to that collection and providing service to the collection by professional staff. Expertise is also maintained through the sharing of information among partner institutions and astute professional management of the collection.
Overseeing the Homeland Security Collection at VCU is Mary Ellen Spencer, head librarian for research and instructional services at VCU Libraries' James Branch Cabell Library. An assistant professor, she has deep experience in managing government and public documents and collections in the social sciences.
"The Bush administration formed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2002 in the wake of the 9/11 attacks," Spencer said. "VCU Libraries receives all government publications associated with the agency, most of them born digital. At present, the collection includes over 3,400 titles, including The 9/11 Commission Report:."
VCU Libraries was selected to focus on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security materials because of its strong academic programs in homeland security, emergency preparedness and public health.
ASERL's Centers of Excellence program is funded in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information, please contact Mary Ellen Spencer at mespencer@vcu.edu.
ASERL, which has some 40 members, represents the region's top research institutions. These members of the largest regional research library consortium in the United States work together to provide and maintain top quality resources and services for the students, faculty and citizens of their communities.
The new Center of Excellence program focuses on government materials. Wise stewardship of resources and greater access to government documents in the Southeast are the program's goals. Center of Excellence status carries with it the role of becoming a "regional expert" for that agency or subject matter. Expertise includes gathering a collection that is as complete as possible, creating access to that collection and providing service to the collection by professional staff. Expertise is also maintained through the sharing of information among partner institutions and astute professional management of the collection.
Overseeing the Homeland Security Collection at VCU is Mary Ellen Spencer, head librarian for research and instructional services at VCU Libraries' James Branch Cabell Library. An assistant professor, she has deep experience in managing government and public documents and collections in the social sciences.
"The Bush administration formed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2002 in the wake of the 9/11 attacks," Spencer said. "VCU Libraries receives all government publications associated with the agency, most of them born digital. At present, the collection includes over 3,400 titles, including The 9/11 Commission Report:."
VCU Libraries was selected to focus on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security materials because of its strong academic programs in homeland security, emergency preparedness and public health.
- The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs offers a bachelor's of arts degree in homeland security and emergency preparedness. After introducing the B.A. in 2005, the school added a graduate certificate program and a master's program in 2007.
- The Department of Epidemiology and Community Health offers two tracks in its master of public health program, one focusing on public health practice and one focusing on epidemiology. Graduates are prepared to work on multi-disciplinary teams in government agencies at the state, federal and international levels or in service arms of private sectors.
- The Wilder School also houses the National Homeland Security Project, which researches policy and management related to security and preparedness, including assessing Virginia programs.
- VCU is also uniquely situated geographically--in the military and intelligence crescent from the CIA in Langley to Arlington's Pentagon to Newport News' shipbuilding operations to Virginia Beach's massive naval installations. Located in the state capital, in a city that houses the Fifth District Federal Reserve and located just 100 miles south of Washington, VCU's central location offers students and faculty easy access to homeland security institutions and professionals.
ASERL's Centers of Excellence program is funded in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information, please contact Mary Ellen Spencer at mespencer@vcu.edu.