SHASTA COLLEGE LIBRARY 11555 Old Oregon Trail  *  PO Box 496006  *   Redding, CA 96049-6006

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 the librarian" 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 Library's Writing 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.

• Class Research Guides, posted online or produced as print handouts, direct students and faculty to most useful resources and effective research strategies for the discipline of assignment at hand.
• Sample guide: American History
• Sample handout: Non-Profit Organizations
• Sample guide: Nutrition
• Sample guide: Nursing Resources
• Cooperative and active learning exercises to complement course requirements and reinforce skills introduced during classroom presentations.
• ESL Workbook Lesson 1    Lesson 2     Lesson 3     Lesson 4     Lesson 5    Online Databases Review
• Sample assignments: US History 1. Library Catalog   2. Online Databases   3. Evaluating Websites
• Sample assignment: 50 Minute Orientation
• Sample assignment: Disease Process Project
• "Ask a Librarian" provides library assistance online.
• Ask a Question offers online reference assistance to supplement  traditional walk-in and telephone  service.
• Schedule an appointment encourages students and faculty to meet with a reference librarian. This is useful for anyone needing to learn more about the library and its resources or for in-depth type reference questions.

Be prepared to provide:

• 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

•  Texas Information Literacy Tutorial (TILT)  (University of Texas)
•  Basic Information Literarcy Tutorial (BILT) (Central Connecticut State University)

• Association of College and Research Libraries. Information Literacy Standards. (May 10, 2002)
• 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)
• National Education Association, Higher Education Advocate Online, (Aug. 2001).   Special issue devoted to information literacy.
• Marylaine Block. “Gullible's travels: Marylaine Block shows how to teach students to

guard against misinformation, disinformation, and spin on the net." (cover story). Library
Journal, v127 i7 (Apr. 2002):  pS12(3).
• 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+