Basis for including library skills in the First Year Seminar

From: “The First Year Seminar: Critical Thinking and the Nature of Inquiry”: Goal 4:

• Sources of evidence
• Using a research library to find evidence
• Using online tools to find evidence
• Assembling a portfolio of evidence

All the skills listed below are explained in great detail in material available from the Library website and included on Blackboard. Most of the seven chapters in the material include review questions and answers. This is a good practice for the online exercises and a way to assess student mastery of the skills.

In order for students to achieve academic success, familiarity with the library, ways of accessing material and properly citing that material are essential tools. Through instruction received in the First Year Seminar, students will:

1. Be familiar with the library building (Ch. 1, Lamson Library and Learning Commons Tour)
2. Be familiar with the library home page (Ch. 4 The Lamson Library Website)
3. Be able to find library material using the Library of Congress Subject Headings (Ch. 6 Intro to Lamson Library)
4. Use the online catalog to find library material (Ch. 5 Searching the Online Catalog)
5. Be able to locate library material in the building (be familiar with call numbers and location codes) (Ch. 6 Finding Materials in the Library)
6. Be familiar with circulation policies and procedures(Ch. 2 Using the Library Facility)
7. Recognize the difference between primary and secondary information sources (Ch. 7 Searching Periodical Databases)
8. Be familiar with the online databases available and have basic searching skills for two or more databases (Ch. 7 Searching Periodical Databases)
9. Be comfortable using Boolean logic for online searching (Ch. 7, Searching Periodical Databases)
10. Recognize and be able to determine the parts of a bibliographic citation (Ch. 7, Searching Periodical Databases)
11. Be familiar with and know where to locate periodicals in various forms: print, fiche and film (Ch. 7, Searching Periodical Databases)
12. Have knowledge of Document Delivery services (Ch. 7, Searching Periodical Databases)
13. Know how to locate and use style guides for creating bibliographies (Ch. 7, Searching Periodical Databases)

Skill 1 will be accomplished as part of Orientation.

Skills 2-6 will be administered and evaluated via Blackboard. This includes material in Chapters 2 and 4-6 mentioned above. The Seminar instructor will ensure that the skills have been mastered PRIOR to the library class session.

Skills 7-13 will be introduced in a class session in Lamson Library. The Seminar instructor will work with the Librarian assigned to her/his section to schedule the library session, and to tailor the session (within time limitations) to the seminar “question.” Please have three possible dates for the library session in order to accommodate all FY seminars and other library instruction.

What to expect from your librarian:

• Your librarian’s schedule of reference desk hours. Students may prefer to come to the library when they know the librarian for their FYS will be on duty.
• Consultation regarding finding information on your topic or follow-up on information included in the FYS library material
• A topical research guide, including subject headings and select print or online resources related to your seminar topic.
• One or two scheduled classes in the library classroom, with instruction on database searching, etc. (see #’s 8-13 above). Please schedule your library session far in advance as possible, and have some alternate dates in mind.

What to do when:

• Contact your librarian as soon as possible to schedule the library session, and to discuss any other library-related issues you may have (such as ordering new library material).
• Make plans to put material on reserve as soon as possible.
• During the first weeks of class, and prior to the library visit, encourage students to read and review the library material, use the practice questions for review, and take the online quiz.
• Communicate with librarians regarding research or library related questions at any time during the semester.