YOU MAY WANT TO PRINT THIS PAGE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
[formerly LIBT 105]
Attention New and Returning Online Students:
Using Canvas's Learning Management software may be a new experience for many. So, please be patient with fellow students, guest presenters, and others as we navigate the Canvas platform.
Pls Note: This class lasts for 15 weeks (Jan 21-May 1, 2025) It is an asynchronous, online course.
Hello Students:
Welcome to Cuesta College's Library/Information Technology Program. Our program is designed to prepare individuals for employment as a paraprofessional in a public, school, academic, special library, media center, or information center.
This is the Welcome Page for the distance education course Library/Information Technology 205 (Library/Information Center Collections) [formerly LIBT 105], Spring 2025. LIBT 205 provides an overview of how to select, purchase, and organize print, electronic, and other materials to stock library/information center collections. We will also look at how the COVID years have affected these tasks and services.
Technical Help with Canvas
For online Canvas help if you can't login to the site or cannot submit assignments, etc:
- Send an email to support@my.cuesta.edu Include your name, class, section number, instructor's name.
- Describe the exact problem you are experiencing including what browser/version you are using.
Student Learning Outcomes for LIBT 205
After successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:
- Describe the basic principles for materials selection and for the maintenance of collections in a variety of library and information center environments.
- Locate bibliographic data and vendor sources for the ordering of print, electronic and other library materials.
- Compile a basic written selection policy for a library or information center.
Pre-requisite
To enroll in this course, it is highly recommended that you have already completed the prerequisite courses Library/Information Technology 201 (Introduction to Library Services) and Online 101 (DIST 101).
Civility in the Online Environment
Offering our courses online is a challenging experience for all of us. While online courses can be a convenient, stimulating learning experience, distance education is not for everyone. It places a greater responsibility with the student to be self-motivated. Please note that just as with a traditional in-person classroom, all online students are bound by the Cuesta College Student Code of Conduct Links to an external site. in terms of exhibiting civil behavior in the online classroom (which may include Canvas, Zoom, and other tools) and in all course e-mail to the instructor, to fellow students, and to guest speakers. One additional norm is that a student, in an online class, should not expect to monopolize the time of the instructor or of their fellow classmates any more than they would in an actual classroom. Students should feel free to contact the instructor or fellow students to seek answers to legitimate, class-related questions. Students not compliant with this conduct code will be referred to the Vice President of Student Services for disciplinary action which may include expulsion from the course.
Disabled Students
Any student with a verifiable disability (you must work with our Disabled Students Programs and Services [DSPS] ![]()
Links to an external site.(Links to an external site.)staff on campus for the verification process) will need to let the instructor know as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodation can be made. Authorized accommodations and alternative media will be provided as appropriate.
Getting Started
Once you have access to the Canvas course, get started by looking at the syllabus; you may want to print it out. Review it for important dates. At least three times per week, log in to our Canvas Course Site to preview the syllabus, readings, assignments, discussions and links to relevant websites. Preview each week in advance by going to the Learning Module for that week, so that you are up-to-date on what you will need to be reading, preparing or submitting for that next week. The required texts for the class are:
- Libraries in the Information Age, 3rd edition, May 2016, by Denise K. Fourie and Nancy E. Loe. (Portions of this text will be used in other courses in our program; Cuesta Library has access to an ebook version. Ask instructor how to access the ebook.)
- Collection Management Basics, 7th edition, 2019, by G. Edward Evans and Margaret Zarnosky Saponaro. (Cuesta Library may have access to an ebook version. Ask instructor.)
They are available for purchase through the Cuesta bookstore https://cuesta.bncollege.com/shop/cuesta/page/find-textbooksLinks to an external site. or through online book venders. Books may also be available for renting (usually the cheapest option) for the semester from the bookstore or online vendors; check titles and be careful that you are renting the correct edition.
Dropping the Class
If you need to withdraw from the class for any reason, it is the responsibility of the student to complete a Drop Slip before the Drop Date in order to officially withdraw from the class. (If you do not drop and are still on the official course roster, but stop participating in the class, your grade becomes an F.) Please see the official Cuesta Campus policy on withdrawing from a class. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
When you are nearing completion of our LIBT coursework, please note this is where to find the information about applying for your certificate, mini-certificate or A. S. degree: http://www.cuesta.edu/student/aboutacad/gradready/index.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
I hope you enjoy our class!
Denise Fourie
Instructor, Library/Information Technology
Cuesta College
P. O. Box 8106
Highway One
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8106
dfourie@cuesta.edu
Library/Information Technology Dept. Phone: (805) 592-9287
Denise Fourie, Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When does the class begin and end?
Is there a mandatory orientation for this class?
Do I need to do anything before the class officially starts?
When will the complete class web site and syllabus be available on the web?
What is the schedule for readings and homework?
What about e-mail communication with the Instructor?
What about communicating with the Instructor and the library office during the winter break (Dec 18-Jan 16)?
How do I withdraw from class?
What tools do I need?
What software do I need?
Is there a required textbook to buy?
Can you give me any tips on Distance Education or on using Canvas?
When does the class begin and end?
The class begins Tues. Jan 21, 2025 and ends Fri. May 1, 2025.
Is there a mandatory orientation for this class?
No, this semester there is not a mandatory orientation for this class.
Do I need to do anything before we meet?
Yes. It is very important to understand that the work for an online classes begins BEFORE the official class start date.
As soon as you enroll, you will need to:
- Send the instructor your name and the e-mail address for the account you plan to use for the class; please do this as soon as you have registered for class. From now on, communication will be via e-mail, so we must have your name and correct e-mail address on file. Send the post to dfourie@cuesta.edu.
Then:
- We will be using Canvas for this course. Once you are enrolled, you will be able to sign in to the class the first date it begins (Tues. Jan. 21, 2025), but not before. Make sure that you can access the site that day. Experience has shown us that students who wait until after the class has started to try to access the site leave themselves no time for solving any possible technical incompatibilities. They quickly fall behind and have to be dropped from the class.
When will the complete course web site and syllabus be available on the web?
The online class syllabus will be available to enrolled students on the class start date (Jan. 21) through the Canvas website https://cuesta.instructure.com/or by going to Cuesta Home Page Links to an external site.and clicking on the Canvas link in the upper left portion of the webpage.
Canvas Login Name and Password are the same as your my.Cuesta Login Name and Password: firstname_lastname (all lower case). So, for a student named Juan Suarez log-in would be juan_suarez
For online Canvas help if you can't login to the site or cannot submit assignments, etc:
- Send an email to support@my.cuesta.edu
- Include your name, class, section number, instructor's name.
- Describe the exact problem you are experiencing including what browser/version you are using.
What is the schedule for readings and homework?
The course syllabus on Canvas (accessible Tues. Jan. 21) will give you the schedule for all readings and homework assignments. Please note that all due dates are FIRM, with assignments due by 11:55 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time/Los Angeles, CA time) of the specified day (usually a Tuesday evening).
What about e-mail communication with the Instructor?
Generally, when class is in session the instructor will try to respond to your e-mail within 48 hours (assuming there are no technical malfunctions).
Instructor’s e-mail address: dfourie@cuesta.edu
What about communicating with the Instructor and the Library Office during the winter break (Dec 14 -Jan 20)?
If you have questions about this course or the overall program during the winter break, please read the following:
The instructor will be off duty from Dec 14-Jan 5. For the remainder of the break, she will be checking e-mail on a periodic basis.
Another contact is:
Please note that due to ongoing state budget cutbacks, the library office staff have had their work hours reduced. We will do our best to respond to your questions during the break. Please allow a longer response time than usual.
How do I withdraw from class?
It is the responsibility of the student to complete a drop slip before the drop date in order to withdraw from the class. Please see the official campus policy on withdrawing from a courseLinks to an external site.
What tools do I need?
You will need a modern computer with reliable Internet access that is accessible to you at least three times a week. It is up to each student to make their own arrangements to have these tools available before beginning the class.
The Cuesta SLO campus library has about 40 Internet computers located in the open lab and in the library that are available on a walk-in basis for students; Cuesta North County campus library has 27 computers for student use.
You should be very comfortable using the web and e-mail including formatting word processing documents for attachments (many of your assignments will need to be submitted as .docx or .pdf attached files). If you are composing in Pages, it is best to convert to a Word .docx before uploading to Canvas. Also, please do not submit an assignment as a Google Doc. We will also use Zoom web conferencing once in awhile, so be sure to have that free app. We may also use the app Padlet (no need to have an account).
These will be the main methods of delivering information and communicating during the class. These tools replace the in-person lectures and class meetings of a traditional course.
What software do I need?
Browser: We recommend that you use the most current version of browsers Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Do not use AOL's browser or Internet Explorer.
Word Processing: Any recent version (2 years old or newer) of Microsoft Word, the standard word processing software, is needed for composing your assignments (for this class, do not use Notepad or Wordpad to compose; these are accessories only, not full word processing programs).
Adobe Acrobat Reader: You will also need to have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to open various files. Download it here: http://get.adobe.com/reader/Links to an external site..
Can you give me any tips on distance education or on using Canvas?
icons at the top right corner of the subsection.