Information Competence

What should a graduate have and/or know about information in his/her major field of study:
• a curious attitude
• an enjoyment of browsing
• LC call number areas for the field and related interdisciplinary areas
• how to use a library catalog
• commonly accepted set of primary texts
• specialized encyclopedia, subject dictionaries and biographical sources in the field
• how to find and use subject bibliographies
• major journals in the field and their focus
• relevant journal indexes(paper and/or online) and the basics of searching them effectively
• standard publication cycle in the field
• proper citation style in this field
• when and how to use Interlibrary loan
• important practical tools: career books and where jobs are listed, association directories, graduate school catalogs
• most important Internet resources including: e-journals, listservs, major relevant web sites
• how to evaluate library and Internet sources for relevance, accuracy and authority
• common pitfalls to be expected when doing research in this field
• current moral and ethical issues in the field
• how to integrate disciplinary information into written text
• what plagiarism is
• theft and/or vandalism of library resources as an ongoing problem

What can WE, librarians, do for you and your students ?
• assist you in creating excellent library assignments
• offer library instruction classes specifically geared toward the information in your discipline
• integrate Internet sources into our instruction
• integrate critical thinking and evaluation criteria into our library sessions
• give excellent individual reference desk assistance
• buy appropriate reference books, databases and other information sources
• develop bibliographies and how-to-use guides on new reference books, indexes and databases
• schedule orientation tours for new and transfer students
• offer open demos and workshops on new indexes and databases

What can YOU do for your students ?
• make a library assignment targeted to a specific objective a part of the syllabus of every course
• confer with the librarians about innovative library assignments with specific objectives
• us a copy of your library assignment ahead of time
• discuss publishing, bibliography, and job-finding in your field with your students
• discuss primary sources, indexes, important reference books and journals in your field
• give extra credit for attendance at library demos and workshops done out-of-class time
• request copies of relevant subject bibliographies developed by the reference librarians or check the Guides webpage
• encourage students to browse both the library and the Internet for info in your field
• suggest important reference books in your field for purchase by the library
• encourage your students to think critically about information and its sources

Call me to set up a library class for your students geared toward your objectives and assignments. Jan Sauer
6-6045