CCSF Library and Learning Resources Instructional Services Plan: 2007-2009

Student Success Through Information Competency

I. Goals: As part of the CCSF Library and Learning Resource (LLR) Mission statement, orientation and instructional services are provided to:

1. ensure that students are successful in their academic work at CCSF by developing information competency skills, which are part of the Information Competency Graduation Requirement and are essential for academic success at CCSF, transfer to other higher education institutions, and success in the workplace;

2. collaborate with instructors to design effective library orientation & information competency learning opportunities;

3. provide library research and information technology training opportunities for faculty and staff.

II. Promoting Student Success Through Information Competency Instruction (IC)

Librarians and instructors share responsibility for providing opportunities for students to learn and practice information competency (IC) skills. In addition to the IC requirement being part of English 96, 1A, and ESL 170, these skills should be integrated throughout the curriculum.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of several of the learning opportunities described below under III. A variety of learning opportunities are provided in recognition of the diversity of learning styles, variety of levels of student technological competence, and the physical location of the learner.

Currently, technology infrastructure and staffing limits to some degree the types of IC learning opportunities that can be offered at some of the campuses. However, the goal is to have equivalent and consistent student learning opportunities district-wide.

III. Basic Information Competencies With Examples of Learning Opportunities

Learning Outcome/IC Skill	Learning Opportunities
1. Students are aware of the variety and location of information and learning resources and services available.	Orientation materials, such as“Resources and Services” handouts, interactive walking tour, virtual tour, group tours, and LLR information web pages
2. Students formulate and refine a research question or statement and can identify key concepts and terms that represent the topic/statement.	Workshop D, LIS 10, LIBR 51, course-related library research workshops, Writing Lab, course instructors, reference librarians
3. Students identify and select information sources and search tools appropriate to their research question/statement	Workshops B, W, D; course-related workshops; LIS 10, LIBR 51; class assignments; reference librarians
4. Students effectively use research tools (e.g., online catalogs, print and online periodical databases/indexes, web search engines, etc.), employing a variety of search techniques and revise the search when needed.	Workshops A, B, C, W and D; course-related library research workshops; class assignments; LIS 10, LIBR 51; Web tutorials, classroom faculty and reference librarians.

5. Students locate and obtain the complete information online, from a library, media center, expert, or other information agency or via interlibrary loan.	Workshops A, B, W and D; course-related library research workshops and class assignments; LIS 10; LIBR 51; Web tutorials; classroom faculty and reference librarians.
6. Students critically evaluate their search process and the information they retrieve, using such criteria as reliability, accuracy, authority, currency and point of view. They determine if information need has been satisfied or additional information/evidence is needed.	Workshops W, D; course-related library research workshops and class assignments; LIS 10; LIBR 51; Web tutorials; classroom faculty and reference librarians
7. Students effectively use information from appropriate sources in support of their research papers/assignments.	Research-based course assignments (e.g., speeches, papers, projects); Writing Lab; course instructors
8. Students prepare in-text citations and citations for the “Works Cited” list/bibliography using an appropriate style manual such as MLA or APA.	Workshop D; LIS 10; LIBR 51; Citations format handouts; web tutorials; Writing Lab; classroom faculty and reference librarians.
9. Students demonstrate understanding of CCSF computer-use policies and legal-ethical practices regarding access and use of the Internet, plagiarism and copyright	Workshop D; LIS 10; LIBR 51; CCSF College Catalog and web pages; course instructors and reference librarians

IV. Information Competency Instructional Components

The components are grouped below by two areas: orientation and instruction. Both independent learning and course-related orientation and instruction opportunities are available. Assessment occurs both as part of classroom evaluation practices and as on-going evaluations of specific components – See “Assessment Plan for Information Competency/Library Research Skills.”

A. Orientation Components

1. Tours – Some class tours can be arranged for groups of twenty-five or less by making arrangements with the Rosenberg Library coordinator of reference services or the campus librarian at other campus libraries. A virtual tour and an interactive walking tour for individuals or small groups is also available for the Rosenberg Library.

2. Resources and Services handout is the Rosenberg Library orientation brochure. Equivalent brochures and guides are available at the other campus libraries. Online orientation pages include Overview of CCSF Library Services for the Rosenberg Library and the Rosenberg Library virtual tour.

3. ESL Library Readiness Assignment – This written assignment prepares lower-level ESL students with the necessary vocabulary and understanding of basic concepts covered in the Library and Web Research Skills workshops offered at the Rosenberg Library. The Media Center also offers orientations and campus libraries provide equivalent orientation for ESL students.

B. Instructional Components

1. Basic Library & Information Skills Workshops A, B, C, D and W*

These drop-in library research skills workshops are offered throughout the semester at a variety of times and are conducted by librarians. All workshops include a practice assignment. They address many of the information competencies required for CCSF A.A., A.S. or transfer degrees. Currently only the Rosenberg Library has a dedicated electronic lab to offer these workshops to groups of 24; other campus libraries offer variations of them either in their library and/or campus computer lab.

Online workshops are currently available for Workshop A.

Workshop A: Using the OPAC - Three learning outcomes:

· increase awareness of library and learning resources, services and facilities, with specific information relevant to campus library where session is offered;

· Conduct variety of searches to gain practice and understand difference between keyword and subject searching.

· Interpret catalog screens and know how to obtain items

Assessment: satisfactory performance on the Workshop A exercise sheet.

Workshop B: Using Periodical Databases - Four learning outcomes:

· Understand the concepts and reasons for using periodicals and periodical databases and how to access them online;

· Conduct effective searches using basic keyword and subject options in online periodical databases;

· Learn how to interpret citations and the full screen displays

· Know how to obtain the complete periodical articles, regardless of format (online, microfilm, etc.) or location.

Assessment: satisfactory performance on the Workshop B exercise sheet.

Workshop C: Internet and Web Basics - Four learning outcomes:

· Understand important concepts relating to the Web (e.g. browser, links, Webmaster);

· Raise awareness of the differences between the three major types of Web search tools -- subject guides, search engines and meta-search engines;

· Understand what is and is NOT included when searching the Web; what is the "invisible Web";

· Conduct searches using techniques to decrease results and obtain more credible sources

Assessment: satisfactory performance on the C exercise sheet.

Workshop W: Web Research and Evaluation – Three learning outcomes:

· Improve search techniques by practicing ways to narrow/decrease results with search engines

· Evaluate Web pages for quality and accuracy of information;

· Understand the needed elements for to citing web pages in a "Works Cited" list.

Assessment: satisfactory performance on the W exercise sheet.

Workshop D: Research Paper Strategy (Only for students who have a research paper/project topic and have taken either the B, C or W workshops) – Four learning outcomes:

· Narrow a topic into a researchable question or thesis statement;

· Practice the key steps for researching a topic;

· Conduct research to find at least three good quality sources for the paper/project; Prepare MLA or APA formatted citations for "Works Cited" list or bibliography.

Assessment: satisfactory performance on the D exercise sheet and evaluation by the course

instructor.

2. Customized Course-Related Workshops

These workshops are designed to teach students specific skills and use of resources required by course assignments. Course instructors, in partnership with library faculty, plan the learning outcomes, which typically include some of the following:

· formulate search queries and conduct searches in appropriate catalogs, databases, and indexes;

· critically evaluate results of searches;

· increase understanding of how to properly credit and use copyrighted information by reference to citation format guides and style manuals;

· know options for obtaining the full-text copy or complete publication.

Assessment: satisfactory performance on class assignment and student and instructor self-assessment of effectiveness of librarian presentation and reference support.

3. Library Research and Information Competency Credit Courses

· LIS 10 “Use of Information Resources” – one-unit basic information competency course offered online, in classroom and a combination of online and in classroom.

Assessment: satisfactory performance on assignments and exams as reflected by course grade; online pre- and post-test; and student self-assessment of learning experience.

· LIB 51 “Introduction to Libraries and Library Materials” - three-unit course offered by the Library Information Technology Program.

Assessment: performance on assignments and exams as reflected by course grade and course-evaluation.

4. Independent Learning Opportunities: Web-based Subject Guides and Tutorials

Librarians, working with department/program faculty, have designed many Subject Guides corresponding to academic and vocational programs of study at CCSF, (http://www.ccsf.edu/Library/guides/guides.html). Tutorials that are equivalent to the Library Research Skills workshops A, B, C, and W have been developed for students in Speech courses and for general use. In development are online workshops that correspond to the Library Research Skills workshops B, C, and W. Online workshop A is available.

Assessment: The Tutorials have accompanying quizzes and the online workshops require completion and correcting of the practice assignments.

V. Faculty and Staff Information Technology Workshops And Consultation Services

Workshops dealing with a variety of information resources are offered by reference librarians at the Rosenberg Library during flex days and as part of the Technology Learning Center's staff training. At all campuses, librarians are available to collaborate with instructors to design effective class assignments. Instructors can contact the Coordinator of Instructional Services (452-5548; bgratch@ccsf.edu), or the subject librarian for his/her department to make an appointment, or the campus librarian to get more information. Librarians can also facilitate the ordering of needed materials and/or placing materials on course reserve in support of class assignments.