Library Instruction

To book an Orientation, click Library Instruction Request Form and fill it out as completely as you can. You'll hear back from us within three business days. For changes in scheduling or questions about your session, please call 242-2342 or 242-2347, or email csingh@shastacollege.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Program

Shasta College librarians work with instructors to design class sessions that introduce students to information competency skills. Sessions are tailored to the needs of the class and range from a 15 minute "meet & greet" classroom visit to a 50 minute library orientation and walking tour to a 3 session, in-depth examination of academic reference works, online research databases, and critical evaluation of websites. Sessions scheduled in the new Library Instruction  Center afford access to over thirty computers for hands-on practice.

Sample Information Competency Skills

• Research skills: Selecting the most appropriate resources from the spectrum of Shasta College Library Resources, including the library catalog, online research databases, online e-books, and the Internet.
• Critical thinking: Evaluating the reliability of print and Internet resources.  Developing an informed personal view based on information gleaned from several sources as well as personal perspective and interest.
• Documentation: Developing an awareness of the academic, professional, and ethical issues surrounding information such as bias, plagiarism, copyright law, and citing resources.

Instructional Support

• Library Research Guides for specific classes or special topics, posted online as Wikis or produced as print handouts, direct students and faculty to  useful resources and effective research strategies for the discipline of the assignment at hand.
• Cooperative and active learning exercises complement course requirements and reinforce skills introduced during classroom presentations.
• The Ask a Librarian service provides library assistance online through email or Live Chat.
  

• The name of the class, day, date, and time of the class
• Your name, phone number and email address
• A copy of the research assignment or syllabus (we use these to tailor the session to that assignment)
• Any other information you feel would help us assist your students

• The Association of College and Research Libraries. Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. (Jan. 2000)
• University of Washington's Information School. Project Information Literacy. (2008)
• Topsy Smalley. Information Competency in the California Community Colleges. (Jun. 14, 2005)
• Pacific Bell/UCLA Initiatives for 21st Century Literacies. 21st Century Literacies.(Jul. 8, 2002)
• Jamie McKenzie. “Grazing the Net: raising a generation of free-range students. ”Phi Delta Kappan, v80 n1(Sept. 1998): p26-32.
• Lorie Roth.  “Educating the Cut-and-Paste Generation.” Library Journal, v.124 i18( Nov. 1999): p.42+