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Grant Funding Provides Interactive Library Kiosks to CCA campus

• By Sharleen Nelson
• 02/20/13

Career and technical education (CTE) students at Community College of Aurora (CCA) will benefit from nearly $76,000 in Perkins Project grant funding to finance four new self-service kiosks designed to expand library services to students. Developed by machine manufacturer Zivelo, the touch-screen kiosks allow students to access the college's databases, receive 24-hour chat access, and take advantage of personalized research assistance.

The first kiosk was initially installed at CCA's Lowry campus in January, with plans for the other three machines, which will be located at the Center for Simulation, the Colorado Film School, and North Quad, to be operational by early April.

Although the long-range goal is to eventually serve all CCA students, Lowry, which is one of two CCA campuses, was chosen to receive the kiosks because it did not have its own centralized library. Additionally, grant funding is limited to CTE projects for students enrolled in programs such as paralegal, criminal justice, art and design, business, and EMT training.

"Over 50 percent of the students at CCA attend classes at Lowry, so we need to have the same services there," said Megan Kinney, CCA director of library services, in a prepared statement

Although the college plans to renew Perkins grant funding for another year, they will also collect data about how the kiosk service affects student retention and grades.

"My expectation is that we'll increase student retention and completion by having the support resources that they need on that campus to help them with their research projects,” Kinney said.

Zivelo manufactures interactive machines for many industries including education, banking, travel, government, healthcare, and hospitality industries. Display functions provide registration information, campus maps and diagrams, financial aid office services, ticketing, transportation, order entry, and numerous other applications. Visit zivelo.com for more information.

With a combined enrollment of 15,500 students Colorado's Community College of Aurora has campuses Aurora and Denver. CCA serves a community of 325,000 people in a 350-square-mile area with an annual operating budget of approximately $28.5 million. CCA students study new and traditional programs on campus as well as through online courses. For more information, visit ccaurora.edu.

For information about Perkins grant funding, visit ed.gov.