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FAIRMONT — Pierpont Community & Technical College signed a memorandum of understanding with the Marion County Public Library to benefit its students and the local community.
Pierpont and the library held a joint ceremony to commemorate the signing of the new partnership.
“While this unique partnership extends the quality resources Pierpont provides students, the collaboration with Marion County Public Library truly embodies Pierpont’s presence,” said Michael Waide, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Pierpont. “We are the community’s college and through these vital partnerships we let folks know Pierpont is a college of choice for the region.”
“This [MOU] solidifies the relationship between these two important community partners,” added Larissa Cason, Marion County Public Library director, said, “It gives us a formal avenue to the students of Pierpont and allows us to enrich their educational experience by providing them a variety of services.”
The Marion County Public Library, in downtown Fairmont, has been serving the educational needs of the Fairmont community for many years.
“Over the years, we have offered support for K-12 in Marion County,” said Cason. “And this deal with Pierpont will increase our ability to serve the people in Marion County and their educational needs.”
This MOU will provide library access for all Pierpont students. Marion County Public Library will provide Pierpont students with easy access to library cards, which will grant them access to all of the library’s resources. Along with a textbook repository, the library will provide students with general library services, access to Wi-Fi and online and in-person librarian support.
“This newfound relationship will give our students access to many resource options,” said Dr. Anthony Hancock, interim president of Pierpont.
Pierpont is using a robust, comprehensive online library that is in collaboration with the West Virginia Community & Technical College System. The online library offers Pierpont students, faculty and staff access to Ebsco, which is used for academic research. Pierpont will still provide access to that resource.
“We are so proud of the online library that we have been able to provide our students over the last few years,” said Hancock. “Combining both the online and in-person libraries will give our students a complete and comprehensive library system.”
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