The Mt. SAC Library offers a variety of Information Competency instruction designed to meet the needs of students and align with the national Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. The Library’s instruction program focuses on helping students learn how to think critically about the research process, effectively locate and evaluate sources of information, and properly use and attribute their sources.

We currently offer credit courses, course-integrated instruction sessions tailored to course research assignments, research workshops conducted in the library and the Writing Center, online tutorials, handouts, and individual research instruction at the reference desk.

Open Research Workshops

The library offers five 75-minute Information Competency workshops.

• Finding and Evaluating Articles
• Finding and Evaluating Books
• Developing Research Topics
• Researching Career Choices
• Evaluating Websites

Students sign up for the workshops at the Library Information Desk or by calling 909-274-4289.

Please see the workshop descriptions and schedule.

Proof of completion can be provided to students who are required to complete the workshops for a class assignment or extra credit.

Course-Integrated Instruction

Library faculty can collaborate with you to design a one-hour Information Competency class tailored to your research assignment and student learning outcomes. Example topics include:

• Identifying and locating scholarly journal articles
• Identifying and locating other periodical literature
• Locating books and other materials using the Library Catalog
• Evaluating sources based on criteria developed with the course professor
• Exploring, narrowing, or broadening research topics
• Identifying and using effective search terms

We incorporate active learning techniques in a hands-on computer classroom. Focusing on only one or two topics that align with your research assignment and student learning outcomes will create a more meaningful and effective learning experience for students.

Please consider sending students to one of the open research workshops before bringing the class in as a group. Student assessment has indicated that students desire more time to digest their assignment and decide on a research topic. Sending students to the “Developing a Research Topic” workshop before your course-integrated session is highly recommended.

To schedule a class or discuss ideas on integrating Information Competency outcomes into your courses, please contact Emily Woolery (ewoolery@mtsac.edu), Library Department Chair, ext. 4264, or 909 274 4264.

Scheduling Guidelines and Best Practices for Course-Integrated Classes

If your class does not have a research assignment, please consider sending students to one or more of the library’s open research workshops instead of scheduling a tailored session.

Schedule your class at least two weeks before the desired date. Reservations fill fast so we suggest making your plans prior to the beginning of the semester.

Provide the Library with your research assignment and expectations for your students’ research performance. This will help us determine what to emphasize most during the class.

Identify one or two learning outcomes for the one-hour class.

Students who have already explored or decided on research topics typically find the classes more engaging and helpful. Consider sending students to the “Developing a Research Topic” workshop before the class meets for the tailored session.

Active participation by professors during class aids in the emergence of teachable moments. Faculty attendance is required.

Due to limited resources, meeting all faculty’s scheduling needs is occasionally challenging. If we are unable to schedule a session for your class, please consider referring your students to the open research workshops, online tutorials, or the “Starting Your Research” workshop that we team-teach with staff at the Writing Center.

Credit Classes: Bridge, Linked, and Stand Alone

Our credit courses have been offered as stand alone courses, as linked courses, and as part of learning communities through the Bridge Program. If you are interested in learning more about linking your class with a Library credit class, please contact Emily Woolery (ewoolery@mtsac.edu), Library Department Chair, 909 274 4264.