The Connected Library: Emerging Trends & Technology
LIBT 222/ CRN 35124
January 21, 2025-May 23, 2025
Spring 2025 - Cuesta's Important Dates and Calendar Links to an external site.

Welcome!  
LIBT 222 is a 3-unit course designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to advocate for and build sustainable, equitable library spaces. You will learn to implement human-centered design practices and create vibrant community hubs capable of thriving amidst emerging and disruptive technologies.  
 
Meet Your Instructor  
Contact Information 
Instructor: Laura Schwoerer               Email: laura_schwoerer@cuesta.edu 
 
Office Hours
Weekly Zoom support hours. Date and time will be announced at the beginning of the semester. 
 
About Me 
Hello. I am an Adjunct Librarian and instructor at Cuesta Community College in San Luis Obispo and worked as a Library Media Technician at both elementary and secondary libraries. I have a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Georgia, earned an MLIS from San Jose State University, and completed the Cuesta Library Information Technology program. Earlier in my career, I worked as a flight attendant, which gave me valuable insight into cultural diversity and fostered a passion for helping others—something that continues to inspire my work in the library every day.

My experiences and enthusiasm for “everything library” quickly led me down the path to bringing people together through hosting campus literacy events, reaching audiences via library social media, creating spaces that foster inclusive community engagement, while continuously exploring the impact of emerging trends and technologies.

A culture of care entrenched with kindness and heart for all in my academic communities is my approach to the chaotic entanglements of 21st century libraries. I untwine along the beaches and trails of the Central Coast of California to stay nurtured to help others find their pathway where the need for information, creativity, compassion, and learning intersects in both real and virtual environments.
I am excited to adventure through the landscape of library communities together! ☺ 

Instructor Contact  
The best and fastest way to contact me is via Canvas email.  I will do my best to respond to your emails within 24 hours during the week. During busy times of the semester or on weekends, please expect a delayed reply.

Course Description  
LIBT 222 engages information communities through technology, innovation, and communication. Prepares students to advocate for and build sustainable and equitable digital library spaces. Emphasizes human-centered design practices to create organizations that are vibrant hubs of community engagement that can thrive in environments with emerging and disruptive technologies.  

Student Learning Outcomes, LIBT 222 (SLOS)  
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:  

• Demonstrate proficiency in using existing and emerging library technologies that enhance and expand library services.  

• Investigate libraries as inclusive community hubs.  

• Examine and evaluate the overall user experience in support of diversity, inclusion, and equity.  

Online Learning 
We will use the web-platform, Canvas to read lectures, link to outside readings, communicate with instructor, submit assignments, and participate in online discussions. Canvas is accessible anywhere you have an internet connection and a current browser. Login is your myCuesta id (usually firstname_lastname) and password. 
 
The course will be available on the first day of the semester. Students are expected to participate fully in all activities of this class. Since there is no in-person lecture component, much of the time will be self-directed, requiring a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing. Please be prepared to spend 8-12 hours per week on coursework for this class.  

Is An Online Class for You?   
Distance education places a greater responsibility for the student to be self-motivated and organized and assumes a basic comfort and skill level with computers and navigating the internet.   
Go to the Cuesta College Canvas Tutorial (self-paced) Links to an external site., there are many resources that were designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and to be sure you have the skills necessary for success. 

If this is the first online course that you have taken or if you need a technology refresher, you might consider taking our 3-week, DIST 101 course.  
 
Expectations 
The key to success in this course is engaged participation; strong time-management and organizational skills; completing the weekly activities and assignments; frequent communication; and keeping yourself healthy. You can achieve your goals if you are committed, put in the work, and ask for help when you are struggling. If you know you will submit an assignment late, please let me know in advance (if possible). Students who do not participate each week and/or stay in contact with me may be dropped from the course. 

This course assumes that students have an understanding of basic computer concepts, a reliable Internet connection along with a backup plan if your Internet provider or computer goes down, an email account, and access to online resources.
 
Regular Effective Contact Policy  
Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly instructor initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements; timely and effective feedback on student assignments, email, and virtual office hours. Be sure to regularly check your email and Canvas inbox. Since we do not meet in person, these are the ways I will reach out to you personally. 
 
Student with Verified Disabilities  
Any student with a verified disability (must be verified with Cuesta College’s DSPS department) will need to let me know as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodation(s) can be made. Authorized accommodations and alternative media will be provided as appropriate. 

Accessing the Course 
You will see your course in Canvas on the first day of class. You can access Canvas by clicking on Canvas from the top bar of the Cuesta homepage Links to an external site., or by typing the Canvas address https://cuesta.instructure.com/ into your browser address bar.  

If need help logging into Canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide. Once you are logged in, you will be directed on where to get started. Please be sure to read all of the directions on the course Home Page as well as review the course Syllabus linked in the course navigation menu.

If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas after January 21,2025 and need assistance, please email me or technical support at this email address support@my.cuesta.edu.    

Syllabus 
The class requirements and assignments are outlined in the Syllabus within the Canvas course, available on the first day of class. Once you are in the class, make sure to print it out and refer to it for important dates and requirements. 

Textbook and Materials  
You do not have to buy a book for this course. All the materials are provided in free, digital form. Scholarly articles and OER textbooks are incorporated into course modules.  

• Ask, Listen, Empower: Grounding Your Library Work in Community Engagement, edited by Mary Davis Fournier, and Ostman Sarah, American Library Association, 2020. ProQuest Ebook Central, 
  [Available online through Cuesta College Library]
  
• 2024. "Full Issue." Humboldt Journal of Social Relations 1 (46): 
  DOI: https://doi.org/10.55671/0160-4341.1253 
  https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/hjsr/
  

Technology tools outside Canvas LMS:  

• Adobe Acrobat Reader plug-in Links to an external site.. This is a free plug-in that enables you to read some of the course readings. If you do not already have this plug-in, you can download it at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

• Word Processing Program. A current version of Microsoft Word Links to an external site., Pages, Google Docs, or other word processing software is required for composing your assignments and saving them as Rich Text Format (RTF). You will then need to upload the assignments to Canvas's assignment area. Microsoft Office for free including Word and Power Point. Links to an external site.
  Confer Zoom – Cuesta Zoom Guide
• Access to Creative Tools such as Padlet, Canva, Google Draw, or other free resources to support your course assignment. 
  
• Pronto
• Webcam and microphone

Course Environment  

Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity 

The diversity that students bring to this class is a valuable resource and benefit. This course incorporates inclusive materials and activities that address various aspects of identity, including gender identity, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, and culture. It’s important that we respect one another and approach our differences with patience and understanding.

Your suggestions are encouraged and appreciated. Please share any ideas for improving the effectiveness of this course for yourself or for other students and student groups. If any class expectations or assignments conflict with your religious practices, please let me know in advance, and I will make reasonable accommodations to support you.

Netiquette 
When communicating with other students and me, please observe the following internet etiquette:

• Use respectful language in your discussion posts.
• Emojis are acceptable ways to show emotion.
• Avoid CAPS as they come across like you are screaming.
• All messages on discussion boards are public, so be careful and courteous when you post.
  
• Please use email for private communication.
• Use a person's name when you reply to their post so that they can easily locate your reply.

Technical Support  
Your learning environment is best accessed from a computer, using Firefox or Chrome. Please review Cuesta’s FAQ-Technical webpage to ensure you have the proper technical requirements for a successful distance learning experience. 

If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.   

Check Cuesta's Technical Support webpage  for more help with technology and Canvas.
Questions about the LMS (Learning Management System) can be sent to support@my.cuesta.edu during business hours. 

Accommodations  
This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodation in this class, please contact the instructor as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodation in a timely manner.  
You should also contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services) or at 805-546-3148.  
 
Once our course begins, please let me know if you cannot access content and/or activities. If you need additional accommodations to complete this course, please contact me as soon as possible. Thank you.

College & Course Policies 
Academic Honesty Policy 

As a student at Cuesta College, you are obligated to uphold the college’s standards of academic integrity. You can find them in the Standards of Student Conduct in AP 5500.
 
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

Presenting generative AI software content as your own is a violation of academic integrity. However, there are situations and contexts within this course where you will be asked to explore the use of
AI tools. Outside of those circumstances, you are discouraged from using AI tools to generate content (text, video, audio, images) that will end up in any student work (assignments, activities, responses, etc.) that is part of your evaluation in this course.

Students are expected to adhere to the same standards as the Standards of Student Conduct statement on plagiarism.  Any student work submitted using AI tools should clearly indicate what work is the student’s work and what part is generated by the AI. 

If any part of this policy is confusing or uncertain, please reach out to me for a conversation before submitting your work. 

Add / Drop / Waitlist Policy  

• Drop Policy: Students who do not participate each week and/or stay in contact with me may be dropped from the course. The student is responsible for completing a drop slip before the drop date to withdraw from the class.  

• Add Policy

• Waitlist Policy
   

Grading Policy and Assignment Expectations 

I adhere to the following letter grade/percentage equivalents: 

A = 90%-100% 

B = 80%-89% 

C = 70%-79% 

D = 60%-69% 

F = 59% and below

Late Work Policy 
Communication is key! If you know you need to turn in something late, please contact me. I am open and flexible and know that life happens and am always willing to work with you if you stay in communication with me. Please note that two points will be deducted from your assignment or discussion for every day the work is late (ex: 3 days late, 6 points deducted). 

Important Dates, Spring 2025
Please review Cuesta's Spring 2025 Semester calendar and key deadline dates on the Important Dates page.