PASCAL Supports AU

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Partnering for Success: How PASCAL Supports Anderson University's Thrift Library

Academic libraries are critical to fostering student success, advancing faculty research, and preparing graduates for the workforce. Yet, many may not realize the tremendous advantages South Carolina's higher education institutions gain from a unique partnership between the state's academic libraries: PASCAL, the Partnership Among South Carolina Academic Libraries. Leveraging collaboration and shared resources, PASCAL provides our library - and libraries across the state - with cost effective access to essential academic content, advanced library technology, and innovative initiatives that empower students and faculty alike. 

At the heart of our library's operations is PASCAL's Shared Library Services Platform (SLSP). This state-of-the-art system powers our library catalog and provides a unified research experience for students and faculty across South Carolina. The shared platform connects libraries statewide, enabling seamless discovery and resource sharing across institutions. Additionally, PASCAL's implementation of OpenAthens extends access beyond campus, giving our mobile learners and researchers secure single sign-on entry to resources from anywhere.

Key Resources and Services Provided by PASCAL

PASCAL's support goes beyond technology, providing an array of essential resources and services: 

  • Core Academic Content: Access to key databases and e-books that support teaching, learning, and research while ensuring alignment with accreditation standards.
  • Discounted E-Resources: Consortial pricing provides significant discounts on additional e-resources, allowing our library to better support specific academic programs and institutional priorities.
  • Professional Development: Workshops and training for library staff and faculty, ensuring our teams stay at the forefront of academic librarianship.

Anderson University's PASCAL Benefits

Thanks to our partnership with PASCAL, our library gains access to:

Over 25,000 academic journals through core databases:

  • EBSCO Academic Search Complete
  • Gale Literature Resource Center
  • Mometrix eLibrary (Test Prep for College and Career Certification Exams)
  • 3D Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • Institute of Physics Archives
  • Nature Archives (1950-2011)
  • Scientific American Archives (1948-2011)
  • CINAHL Plus with Full Text

More than 470,000 e-books, including:

  • ProQuest Ebook Central (Academic Complete, College Complete, Public Library Complete)
  • EBSCO Academic Ebooks (Education, Nursing, Psychology, and more)
  • Oxford UPSO Psychology

Access to over 10 MILLION print items from other academic libraries in South Carolina:

  • PASCAL Delivers is the cornerstone of resources sharing among member libraries, offering a rapid delivery service that provides access to over 10 million print items, as well as digitized copies of articles and chapters from academic libraries across the state.
  • The PASCAL Delivers service also allows our students, faculty, and staff to visit any participating PASCAL Delivers institution in person to browse and check out items.

PASCAL also provides savings through significant consortial discounts on the following databases and digital resources:

  • Digital Theatre+
  • EBSCO Academic Search Ultimate upgrade
  • EBSCO APA PsycARTICLES
  • EBSCO APA PsycINFO
  • EBSCO MEDLINE Complete upgrade
  • EBSCO MLA Handbook Plus
  • EBSCO MLA International Bibliography
  • EBSCO Associates Program Source
  • EBSCO Business Source Ultimate upgrade
  • EBSCO CINAHL Ultimate upgrade
  • EBSCO Criminal Justice Abstracts with Full Text
  • EBSCO Entrepreneurial Studies Source
  • EBSCO Film & Television Literature Index with Full Text
  • EBSCO Hospitality & Tourism Complete
  • EBSCO International Bibliography of Theater & Dance with Full Text
  • EBSCO International Security & Counter-Terrorism Reference Center
  • EBSCO Jewish Studies Source
  • EBSCO Library, Information Science, & Technology Abstracts with Full Text
  • EBSCO Political Science Complete
  • EBSCO Women's Studies International 
  • Films on Demand Master Academic Collection
  • OverDrive College Digital Library
  • Ovid Nursing Full Text with Ovid Emcare
  • Oxford Scholarship Online EBA
  • Springshare LibApps
  • Statista

Tangible Savings and Impact

Since its founding in 2004, PASCAL has provided over $200 million in cost avoidance for South Carolina academic libraries. In the past year alone, core resources and opt-in subscriptions saved member institutions $20.6 million compared to market rates. Anderson University's cost avoidance for the academic year 2023-2024 was $754,172. These savings allow our library to reinvest in student-centered services and programs while maintaining access to top-tier academic resources.

PASCAL exemplifies the transformative power of collaboration, enabling our library to offer exceptional services at a fraction of the cost. Together, we are creating a stronger foundation for higher education across South Carolina - one that ensures students and faculty have the resources they need to thrive. 

Let's continue to celebrate and support this remarkable partnership - please share your library success story!