Cerritos College

Library 100 - Introduction to Library Resources

What impact has the Information Revolution had on you? It has had a profound impact on all aspects of society, affecting how we live, work, and learn. Are you a part of the revolution? Of course you are! There is no escaping it. As participants in the information revolution however, we may not be prepared to fully utilize existing or newly emerging technologies to our advantage.

The process of becoming an informed participant in the information revolution is called information competency. Information competency is defined as the “ability to find, evaluate, use, and communicate information in all its various formats”. That’s what this course is all about.

The concept of information competency is also referred to as information literacy. More information on the concept of information competency can be found at the following web sites: 

Information Competency in the California Community Colleges 

Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This one-unit course, aimed at adult learners, will guide you through the process of becoming information competent. You will learn how information is organized, how to search for and retrieve information, and how to evaluate information. You will learn to use traditional reference sources as well as online tools. You will learn how to search, not just surf, the Internet and the World Wide Web. You will learn the steps required for doing a research paper, including the search strategy, preparation of a bibliography, and how to properly cite the information resources (print and electronic) that you use. You are NOT required to do an actual research paper. 

PREREQUISITES: None

A maximum of 36 hours is required to complete this one-unit course, which includes all readings, assignments, two quizzes and the final project. The course is organized into thirteen lessons which require the completion of fifteen worksheets, in addition to the two quizzes and the final project. This course will help to develop your life-long information literacy skills that can be applied in your other classes, and in your personal and professional life.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, the student will:

• Understand the Library of Congress Classification System which is used in the libraries of most institutions of higher education;
• Comprehend a Call Number and know how to find books on the shelf; 
• Master the theoretical and practical skills necessary to use an online catalog;
• Understand the significance and use of periodical literature and periodical indexes (print and electronic) in the research process;
• Develop an awareness of the Internet as a major information network and develop the ability to conduct a simple search using various search engines or directories;
• Identify basic and discipline-specific reference sources available in most medium to large libraries;
• Develop an awareness of the steps involved in writing a research paper, including preparation of a work-cited list for both print and electronic  resources;

Master the following information competencies:

• State a research question, problem or issue
• Determine the information requirements for the research question, problem, or issue
• Locate and retrieve relevant information  
• Use the technological tools for accessing information  
• Evaluate information  
• Organize and synthesize information

COURSE REQUIREMENTS 

• Attend an orientation
• Read assigned lectures and required reading
• Complete fifteen assignments
• Complete two quizzes
• Complete the final project

COURSE GRADING POLICY

This course is offered on a pass/no pass basis only. All work must be completed with 70% accuracy to pass and receive credit for the course. If you get less than 70% accuracy on an assignment the instructor will work with you individually to correct any deficiencies.

REQUIRED RESOURCES

The Library 100 workbook for the traditional is available in the Cerritos College Bookstore. The workbook will be available online only for those students enrolled in the online sections of the course. Follow the links provided below for the Course Outline and Course Offerings: 

LIBRARY 100 COURSE OUTLINE
LIBRARY 100 COURSE OFFERINGS  

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