About Us
Welcome
Welcome to the Cornette Library!
My colleagues and I are dedicated to supporting study and research at West Texas A&M University through the library's services and collections. We are also eager to serve you in the contexts of the library's other roles: as the university's archives, as a depository for state and federal government documents, as a provider of information about the Panhandle-Plains region, and as a place where you can pursue almost any interest — practical or leisurely — through reading.
With our ever-growing collection of resources, we strive to ensure that the Cornette Library is a robust facilitator of academic success and intellectual stimulation. Whether online or in person, we hope you'll visit the library often!
Mission
The Cornette Library supports the mission of West Texas A&M University by providing traditional and technology-rich academic resources, services, and positive and successful library experiences that connect people at all academic levels with information and promotes the development of Information Literacy (IL) skills.
Core Values
- We value relationships.
- Respecting the dignity of all individuals
- Interacting with the WTAMU community (students, faculty, staff and alumni), library donors, and other library users
- Record the history of West Texas A&M University
- Record the history and examine the natural characteristics, culture, and industry of the Texas Panhandle
- Anticipating and meeting the information needs of library users and going the extra mile in providing courteous service
- We value information literacy.
- Creating an environment that fosters lifelong learning
- Assisting library users to recognize the ongoing value of effective research and information gathering skills
- Teaching skills that enable library users to find, evaluate, and ethically use information
- We value and strive to protect the privacy and confidentiality of all our users.
- We value intellectual freedom.
- Exploring differing points of view without fear of repression
- Striving to provide access to information resources
- We value preservation.
- Acting as custodians of the library’s collections
- Striving to provide an environment conducive to the long term preservation of our library’s resources
Goals
- Promote information literacy
- Serve as stewards of the physical and virtual information resources that we acquire, organize, and preserve in support of WTAMU’s curricula
- Provide and/or participate in programs/events that educate and/or enrich lives
- Support the research efforts of library users
- Provide a safe and comfortable learning and working environment
- Maintain and enhance patron privacy and confidentiality
- Provide support to the campus wide Quality Enhancement Program (QEP)
- Support the University’s retention and recruitment efforts
- Remain relevant in a constantly changing digital world
- Ensure Cornette Library staff have professional development opportunities
What We Do
Library staff duties include collection development, cataloging, purchasing materials, maintaining access to electronic resources, obtaining interlibrary loan material, providing instruction and research assistance, handling reserve materials, training student workers, and other non-routine tasks.
Jobs
Student Workers
Student workers are critical to the library. The library is open 86 hours a week during the fall and spring. Student workers allow us to offer services during all library open hours. Student workers also help with routine jobs like shelving and checking in and out items.
Student jobs are posted through Student Employment Services. Current students may log in or create a Handshake account and then search for job opportunities.
Professional and Staff Positions
Professional and staff positions are posted on WTAMU WorkDay. Please contact Shawna Kennedy-Witthar, Director of Information and Library Resources, by e-mail or at (806) 651-2227 concerning open positions.
Building
Located in the center of campus, the James and Mary Elizabeth Cornette Library opened in 1974 and has as its mission to provide the University community with access to information resources and to secondarily serve as a cultural and intellectual resource for the regional community.
With 100,000 square feet of space, the library offers seating for 300 and various resources within our collections. Cornette Library is a depository for both U.S. and Texas documents. The Marmaduke Internet Innovation Center contains student computer labs and classrooms and is located in the basement of the library.
We're constantly working to improve the building. To see what we're doing and have done, please visit our Cornette Library Maintenance and Renovations page.
Maps
Address/Contact
Physical Address
110 26th St.
Canyon, Texas 79015
Cannot receive mail here. Physicall located on the corner of 26th St. and University Dr.
Shipping Address
[Person's Name]
Cornette Library
2403 Russell Long Blvd.
Canyon, TX 79015
Mailing Address
[Person's Name/Department]
WTAMU Box 60748
Canyon, TX 79016
Phone & Fax
- Main Telephone:
- (806) 651-2230
- Fax:
- (806) 651-2213
Get Involved
The library belongs to the entire WTAMU community, and the people of the Panhandle. We count on you to tell us what you need from the library.
Some of the ways in which you can get involved include:
- Events
- Most library events are free and open to the public, including community members.
- Friends of the Cornette Library
- Support the library by becoming a Friend.
- Faculty Research Poster Sessions
- Faculty are invited to participate in the Annual Faculty Research Poster session, which is held every spring.
- Ask a Librarian
- Students, faculty, staff, and community members are encouraged to provide general feedback.
- Current Trials
- WT faculty, staff, and students may provide feedback on trial databases or other electronic resource.
- Suggest a Purchase
- Faculty are invited to suggest a purchase that will support the curriculum.
- Donating Items
- The library accepts donations of books and other materials.
Visiting
If you need information about visiting the West Texas A&M University campus, please see the West Texas A&M University: Visitors page.
Library Hours
Cornette Library's hours vary by semester. See Library Hours for our schedule. The Research and Access Desk remains open all hours the library is open. Other service desk hours vary.
For West Texas A&M University's schedule, see the University Calendar.
General Library Policies
- Food and drink are allowed when handled responsibly.
- West Texas A&M University is a smoke free campus.
- Consult the library's Policies page for for more information.
Directions
Cornette Library is located at the corner of University Drive and 26th street on the West Texas A&M University campus in Canyon, Texas.
Parking
Parking is available at all unpainted curbs. You may also get a Visitor's Permit from the JBK Student Center or University Parking Services. The permit will allow you to park in any zone except handicapped, loading, and reserved spaces.
Visitor Parking Locations
- Visitor parking, Zone 7 near Buffalo Courts and the library
- Visitor parking, Zone 12 near Mary Moody, JBK, and the Fieldhouse
Collections
Cornette Library offers a multitude of collections available to the WT community. Some collections include:
- Loan,
- Reference,
- Government Documents,
- Special Collections and University Archives,
- Periodicals,
- Youth,
- and various electronic offerings.
Collection Development
Cornette librarians actively collect and withdraw materials and digital resources in support of West Texas A&M University's research and curriculum needs. Please see our Cancellations guide for cancellations and alternative resources. We welcome faculty collaboration towards this goal. Faculty may Suggest a Purchase or contact their library liaisons.
The library accepts donations of books and other materials as well. Please see our guide on donating items.
Collection Statistics
| Material Format | Number of Titles |
|---|---|
| AV (Film, Audio, Video) | 4,505 |
| Bound Journals | 3,370 |
| Collections | 11 |
| Computer File (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM) | 2,434 |
| Electronic books | 166,638 |
| Electronic journals | 7,564 |
| Electronic Documents | 102,972 |
| Electronic Reserve Material | 247 |
| Electronic reference | 966 |
| Microform Material | 65,769 |
| Misc. (Map, Kit, Mixed Mat) | 7,305 |
| Print Books | 314,759 |
| Print Journals | 1,911 |
| Grand Total | 678,451 |
| Databases Available | 161 |
Forms
Faculty & Staff
- Amarillo Center Book Request Form
- Only take or teach classes at the Amarillo Center? Need a book held at the library? If yes to both, fill out this form, and we'll send the book to the Amarillo Center.
- Course Reserves Request Form
- Do your students need fair and equitable access to course materials (e.g., books, videos, etc.)? Please fill out this form to place items on reserve at the library.
- Friends of the Cornette Library Membership Form
- For Faculty and Staff who want to support the library with a Friends Membership. Note: Payment of Friends dues must be received in person or via online payment to complete your membership.
- Gift Agreement Form
- Would you like to donate materials to the library? We ask that you complete this form so that we may record and acknowledge your gift. Please see our Gifting FAQ for further information.
- Library Instruction Request Form
- Need your students to understand the resources and services provided by the Library? Seeing too many Wikipedia citations and want your students to use more credible, if not peer-reviewed, resources? Do your students need to learn how to cite? If yes to any of these, please fill out this form.
- Proxy Checkout Agreement
- Too busy to check out items at the library? Fill this form out so you can designate a "proxy" who may check out items on your behalf.
- Request for Granting Library Access to Graduate Thesis, Incomplete, or Comprehensive Exam
- Have a student that is no longer enrolled as a "student" but needs to complete a thesis, incomplete, or exam? Please fill out this form so we may grant that student access to library services and resources.
- Suggest a Purchase
- Is there a book, database, journal, or other items you wish the library to purchase? Use this form to make that request.
- TexShare Card Application for WT Affiliates
- A TexShare card entitles the holder to borrow items when visiting other TexShare libraries.
Students
- Amarillo Center Book Request Form
- Only take classes at the Amarillo Center? Need a book held at the library? If yes to both, fill out this form, and we'll send the book to the Amarillo Center.
- Friends of the Cornette Library Membership Form
- Support the library with a Friends Membership and extend your loan privileges up to 120 days. Note: Payment of Friends dues must be received in person or via online payment to complete your membership.
- Gift Agreement Form
- Would you like to donate materials to the library? We ask that you complete this form so that we may record and acknowledge your gift. Please see our Gifting FAQ for further information.
- TexShare Card Application for WT Affiliates
- Having a TexShare card allows you to borrow items when visiting other TexShare libraries.
Community Users
- Friends of the Cornette Library Membership Form
- For Community users who would like to:
- support Cornette Library with a Friends Membership,
- purchase borrowing privileges without a TexShare card, and/or
- purchase Interlibrary Loan privileges (at the "Supporting" level or above).
- Gift Agreement Form
- Would you like to donate materials to the library? We ask that you complete this form so that we may record and acknowledge your gift. Please see our Gifting FAQ for further information.
Accessibility
The librarians and staff of Cornette Library share West Texas A&M University's commitment to providing a working, learning, and service environment that affords equal access and opportunity to otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities, in compliance with federal and state law. Consistent with this commitment, the University strives to provide EIR that are accessible to all authorized users and that meet the requirements of the Texas DIR. (See also the WTAMU Accessibility page for more information on University policies.)
For the library specifically this means providing access to our information resources and service to all of our users. Services and activities that contribute to this goal include:
- The library building meets requirements for wheelchair access. There is an accessible entrance at the library's main East entrance. Planned enhancements include adding handicapped access at the South entrance. There is an elevator for 2nd floor access.
- Printers, scanners, public use computers, seating areas, and group study areas are available for all users.
- Library staff will assist patrons with heavy items, or items that are shelved at an awkward height for any individual.
- Library staff will assist any patron with navigating the library website and information resources, and will assist in locating necessary information.
- The library requests a VPAT from all database vendors before purchasing new electronic resource materials.
- The Interlibrary Loan office will attempt to locate large-print and audio-visual materials if students, faculty or staff request them.
- Stacks are wheelchair accessible.