Library Instruction and Orientations

Beginning Spring 2008, Information Competency (IC) became a required general education learning outcome for all students receiving an associate degree at VVC. The IC component is part of the English 101 curriculum that takes place as an instructional session in the library. In addition to IC instruction, librarians also provide research instruction for individual classes in all disciplines. Each session can be tailored to topics or assignments identified by the classroom instructor. Depending on the objectives of the session, students are introduced to basic information competency skills, including searching the library Online Catalog, finding full-text articles using electronic databases, accessing resources on- and off-campus, and using traditional reference resources.

Besides introducing basic research strategies, the sessions also give students the opportunity to hear about other library services and a chance to see the library and meet the librarians. Because we realize that students are reluctant to ask for assistance, the sessions emphasize utilizing the Reference Desk when working on research assignments. The overall aim is to reduce frustration while improving the quality and efficiency of the students' research skills. The results will hopefully lead to better prepared assignments for the instructor.

Research instruction sessions are available by appointment and may be scheduled during any regular class meeting time. For questions or to schedule your class, contact Leslie Huiner (ex. 2321) or John Akins (ex. 2393) or call 245-4271, ext. 2262.

We strongly encourage instructors to attend research sessions with their classes. It has been our experience that students are better prepared and more attentive when the instructor is present.

Course Reserves

If you would like to provide your students access to copies of additional reading materials, textbooks, sample term papers, etc., you may place the materials on reserve in the library for the semester you are teaching the class. Reserve items are available at the Circulation Desk and generally are for library use only so that everyone in your class has a chance to use the materials. Student can photocopy materials for 10 cents a copy. Reserve materials are searchable in the library Online Catalog under Course Reserves by instructor name, course name, or course number. You can also do a general search by the title of the item.

Most materials that you would like your students to read or view can be placed on reserve. The reserve collection includes library books, instructors' copies of textbooks, personal copies of books, pamphlets, photocopies of articles, and videos.

If you would like to place an item on reserve, simply bring it to the Circulation Desk and fill out an "Instructor Reserve Agreement" form for each separate title. If you place a personal copy on reserve, it will be returned to you when the item has been removed from reserve status. Although reserve materials are kept in a secured area, the library is not responsible for the replacement of personal copies that are lost, stolen, delinquent or damaged by students.

Note: Please allow a three-day lead time for materials to be processed.

You determined the loan period when you place the item on reserve. Generally reserve materials are for library use only (2 hours) or overnight use.

Check the library Online Catalog under Course Reserves or call the Circulation Desk, ext. 2262, to verify the status of your reserve items before telling students that the items are available. Students become understandably frustrated when they make a special trip to the library only to discover that something they were told is in the library is not there.

Please inform students that they must bring their current student ID with them to the library in order to use reserve items.

Instructional Video Collection

The library has over 1,500 videos (and a growing number of DVD's) in the collection that faculty members have requested through the Instructional Media Services Department (IMS) for use in the classroom. Instructors can checkout IMS videos for one week or students can view them in the library. The library also maintains a general video collection that students are able to checkout on a 2 day loan period. Both IMS and general library videos can be searched from the libary Online Catalog using the DVD/Video Search feature. (Note: For a list of closed captioned videos and DVD's, type "closed captioned" in the video search box. The term is listed under "Language" in each record).

Collection Development

We encourage faculty involvement in collection development. We recommend that you first check the library Online Catalog to see what is currently available in your subject area. If you would like to suggest an item for the library to purchase, please contact one of the librarians or place your suggestion in the library mailbox.

Effective Library Research

The VVC Library website provides a number of useful pages to assist you and your students (traditional and distance learning) in conducting effective library research. From the website, you are able to search the library Online Catalog for books, eBooks, videos, CD’s, instructor reserves, and any other material available in the collection. The Databases page links you to full-text subscription article databases that are invaluable for research projects. The Research Tools page lists introductory guides for citing sources, searching the Web, and general research tips. Under Internet Resources you will find a number of useful links to Web sites arranged by subject. Please take advantage of the resources available from the website and encourage your students to do the same.

When you are planning a research assignment, the librarians are always available to assist you with locating resources. We also appreciate receiving a copy of the assignment in advance so we can ensure that materials are available. An excellent resource to refer to when designing a research project is Guidelines for Effective Library Assignments from the Southern California Academic Instruction Librarians Group.