Blog Reflection 5 - All Good Things Must Come To An End

I never thought I would say this about a summer class, but I’m kind of sorry this class is coming to an end. It has opened my eyes to realize how much libraries are needed in every community. My previous experiences with libraries were simply going in, checking out a book, and leaving. I think the assignment we had where we had to review what services and tools are provided at a public library opened a lot of doors for me. I also learned what research really is really about.

This was not my first online class, but I wish it would have been. This class should be a requirement for all new college students. I actually got to know my “classmates” better and had more interaction with them than I do in a traditional classroom. For a class like this, the online format was wonderful! I could do my studying and research whenever I had time available. Some of my other classes would not work out well with an online format, as I would need face-to-face communication with an instructor and other students. At times an online class is harder than a traditional class because we really have to stay on top of things and have great time management skills. If a workshop was offered for this class I probably would attend just to meet people, but I don’t think it is necessary for learning purposes. Our instructor provided excellent communication and learning tools. I appreciate all of the support from both my instructor and fellow students!

Blog Reflection 4

The video “Information R/Evolution” was an eye-opener and it made me reflect on all of those times I struggled trying to find information using a card catalog. It’s one of those moments when we realize that “change is good!”

Information competency can mean a number of things, but the definitions I learned in this class include recognizing the need for information; knowing how and where to obtain information; choosing the proper sources; organizing, analyzing, and interpreting the information acquired; and being able to use and accurately communicate that information to others. Information competency is very important when doing research because with so many options available to us, it is very easy to access information that can be less than accurate, which would result in our papers not being 100% correct. There is no point in putting together a research paper with inaccurate information.

I know I have more to learn about being an information competent student, but with the help of this class I’m on the road to success!

Blog Reflection 3

Before taking this class, my idea of “research” was simply looking up a subject and taking for granted that the information I found was true. I would google a subject and use the information that appeared in the first two or three sites that showed up. Now that I am a little more informed about how to actually “research” something I think several of the papers I’ve submitted in the past may have been less that accurate. I used to always use information provided on sites maintained by specific organizations, but now I can see how the information may have been (or most likely was) biased toward their own beliefs, and not necessarily research based.

I don’t think that research has necessarily become easier, but it has become more precise. I still found that I had to really dig for information, but at least now I know how to extract real information. I never before looked for a publisher’s name, but now it is one of the first criteria I use. And depending on what type of information I am looking for, I now check to see how current a publication is.

Blog Reflection 2

The last two weeks have been really interesting and informative. I learned so much about evaluating and citing information and how to tell if an article is relevant to a topic. The assignment we did on evaluating periodicals was a real eye-opener. I never realized how different journals and magazines are, yet they are similar. One of the things that I found to be extremely valuable was what to look for when trying to find legitimate information on the internet. It is so easy to search for something and get conflicting information. I have used search engines, but never used subject directories before. All in all, I think the most appreciated piece of information I learned during the past two weeks was when we were learning about services offered on LBCC online library. I have already used the 24-hour librarian!

My Library Visit

I chose to visit the Cerritos Library located at 18025 Bloomfield Ave., Cerritos, CA 90703. The phone number there is (562) 916-1350 and the library’s website is www.ci.cerritos.ca.us/library. When you approach the library there is a beautiful pond called the Amaryllis Fountain and it depicts the ancient art of Feng-Sui (water-wind) that provides harmony and balance. Next to the pond is a tree with a vertical trunk that many people take wedding photos in front of. Closer to the entrance is a dolphin sculpture that has water shooting from the ground. As you enter the main doors of the three-level library, you pass through a metal detector. There are beautiful display cabinets with various art, but the first thing that catches the eye is the huge fish aquarium in front of the Children’s Library.

The first level of the library includes the Children’s Library, a Local History Museum (dedicated to America’s First Ladies), the Friends of Cerritos Library Gift Shop, a Mazazine/Newpaper/Paperbacks section, a Young Adults section, a Multimedia section, a Print Center, Self-Check Out stations, book return area, computer stations, and more. The Children’s Library is an amazing place that has small tables and chairs, children’s computer stations, a light house, a dinosaur skeleton, trees, a little theater, an art studio when they host various types of parties, and a help desk dedicated to children’s needs. The print center offers copy machines, various brochures, local newspapers, calendars of events, voter registration forms, and bus schedules. The Multimedia section has hundreds of movies on VHS and DVD, and books on tape.

The second level includes fiction and non-current periodicals, non-fiction books, books available in various languages, 88 individual computer stations, another public print center, 7 study rooms, and a large reference section. The reference section includes items like career and business information, telephone books, civil codes, legal codes, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and many other items. One of the study rooms offers Access Plus which is specifically designed to assist patrons with visual and learning disabilities. The third level has limited access and includes a Board Room, lobby, and storage areas.

The library offers services such as Reference USA which is like an advanced phone directory and is available through the library’s website. It offers career preparation through LearningExpressLibrary.com. It also offers a variety of online databases from the library’s home page. This library uses the Library of Congress classification system, which is the same system offered by universities. It has a long list of online subscription databases which include Auto Repair Reference Center, Business & Company Resource Center, Reference USA, Thomas Register, CollegeSource Online, Britannica.com, Grolier Online, Ancestry Library Edition, Ebsco Host, Gale Group, News Bank, SIRS Knowledge Source, Social Studies Fact Cards, The Columbia Granger’s World of Poetry, LearningExpressLibrary, and ProQuest. The librarian indicated that the most popular children’s database is Social Studies Fact Cards (information about California, the U.S, and the world), and the most popular adult database is Ebsco Host (facts on file, encyclopedias, history, poetry, etc).

The Cerritos Library is a public library but it limits its free membership to specific guidelines. The best thing I like about this library is its inviting, comfortable places to work and study. The think I like least about this library is that it charges most non-residents a fee of $100 per year to use its services.

Blog Reflection 1

I am so amazed at what I have learned in just a few short weeks. I really didn’t know what to expect from a Library course. I would have never dreamed of creating a blog, much less doing it for a class. The information I have gained by reviewing “The Seven Steps of the Research Process” is invaluable. Although I look up information, read it, and try to create a research paper, I find that I struggle with the whole process. I never had trouble coming up with a topic, but I didn’t know how important it is to test the topic before beginning the research.

Another thing that I had never done before was obtain information from the Library of Congress books. When I first opened one, it was overwhelming. Once I understood how to use the information, it was amazing. I have also learned how easy it is to obtain information using the Web-Based Library Catalogs. I can’t believe I’ve come this far in school, and have never used these tools.

I have taken a few other online courses before, but this one is all-encompassing. I wish I had taken it when I first started at LBCC. At least now I will have the tools to be more successful when I transfer to a University.

A very informative week

This has actually been a pretty good week for me. I started the week not knowing a thing about blogs or searching the various libraries for information. I feel like I've made a lot of progress and look forward to next week.