The institution, through ownership or formal arrangements or agreements, provides and supports student and faculty access and user privileges to adequate library collections as well as to other learning/information resources consistent with the degrees offered. These collections and resources are sufficient to support all its educational, research, and public service programs. (Learning Resources and Services)

Texas Tech University is in compliance with Core Requirement #2.9.

The Texas Tech Libraries strive to support Texas Tech University in its goal to be recognized as one of the top public education and research universities in the United States. TTU is a member of the prestigious Association of Research Libraries. It is one of only 123 members in the United States and Canada. Texas Tech University was ranked 57^th among the ARL member institutions in 2001. ARL member libraries are distinguished by the breadth and quality of their collections and services. Both qualitative and quantitative factors support the assessment of research libraries within the Association. As a member of the ARL, the network of Texas Tech Libraries ranks among the elite research libraries and archives in North America. 

The Texas Tech University Libraries’ System is made up of four Libraries: the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, the International Cultural Center Library, the Architecture Library and the University Library. These modern facilities serve not only Texas Tech students and faculty members from all colleges, but also a public with ever expanding information needs.

Extensive collections in the libraries include more than 2.7 million volumes, subscriptions to major periodicals, and important archival materials. With Internet access to specialized databases and other research libraries around the globe, the TTU Libraries literally put the world at the fingertips of their patrons 

The special functions of each of the four libraries are as follows:

The University Library seeks to provide TTU and its surrounding community access to ever expanding collections, study materials and technologies. The library provides a foundation upon which Texas Tech’s academic programs are built, and it offers a doorway for Tech’s emergence as a major national research institution. The University Library currently houses approximately 1.7 million books and government documents, 23,000 journal titles and 1 million microforms, access to 170 electronic databases, and about 130 public access computers. The library is also a Federal Depository Library and a U.S. Patent and Trademark Depository. All these resources are provided and maintained by a professional staff, with the goal of enabling and inspiring all patrons to increase their body of knowledge and improve the quality of life for themselves and others. Students at Texas Tech University’s remote sites in Junction, Marble Falls, Fredericksburg, and elsewhere, have direct access by computer to the libraries' electronic databases and also may obtain books and photocopies of journal articles housed in the University Library. Privileges of distance learners are listed on the University Library website at http://library.ttu.edu/distance/. The University Library has numerous computers that are accessible to students, faculty, and the general public. These computers, located in the reference area, in the current periodicals area, and in the reserve room, provide access to the library’s electronic catalog and to the Internet.

The Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library is an excellent research facility. The 78,000 square foot building that was completed in 1997. The building is equipped to handle preservation and storage of documents, manuscripts, photographs, and other archival materials and also contains a book and document restoration section. The Southwest Collection houses a vast array of historically valuable materials including: personal letters and memoirs, business records, film/video and audio tapes, legal documents, and genealogical records. The foyer and hallways of the SWC/SC Library showcase numerous permanent exhibits, including sports items from the former Southwest Conference and many items from the estate of past Governor Preston Smith. Collections housed in the facility include the Southwest Collection, Vietnam Archives, University Archives, and the Rare Books Collection. Additional information about the Southwest Collection/Special Collections and the building where they are housed is at http://www.swco.ttu.edu/swcgeneral.htm

The International Cultural Center Library is primarily a visual collection comprised of hundreds of videos and DVDs.  The collection includes both theatrical releases as well as hundreds of documentaries and educational films that are available for loan to students, faculty, and the public. The ICCL also provides a computer lab with full Internet access and a wide variety of CD-ROMs. The mission of the ICCL is to support and promote international and multi-cultural scholarship.   

The Architecture Library is a branch library housed in the Architecture building in order to serve the specialized needs of the students and faculty in the College of Architecture. The holdings include books, journals, and audiovisual materials on ancient and modern architecture and architects, as well as information on urban/community planning, interior architecture, engineering and construction, and design theory. The Architecture Library also features various exhibitions, including project models in urban design, entourage, and models of historical buildings.

Law and Health Sciences Center Libraries  In addition to the Texas Tech University Libraries, the Texas Tech University School of Law maintains a specialized law library to which the entire university community has access. Detailed information about the Law Library is available at http://www.law.ttu.edu/lawlibrary/. Texas Tech University students, faculty, and staff also may utilize the facilities of the Preston Smith Library of the Health Sciences located on the adjacent Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center campus, which houses an extensive collection of materials on medicine and health. Additional information about the Health Sciences Center Library is available at http://www.lib.ttuhsc.edu/.

In addition to the library resources, students have access to computer laboratory facilities through the Advanced Technology Learning Center, located in the basement of the University Library and with remote locations in student dormitories. The ATLC also offers short courses and online courses in several different types of software and related technology applications. ATLC facilities and services are described at http://www.itts.ttu.edu/labs/.  

For additional information on Texas Tech University Libraries, see the library responses under Comprehensive Standard 3.8.