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Attention New and Returning Online Students:
We will be using Canvas this semester as our online course software. This may be a new experience for some, so please be patient as you and others navigate this platform.
Hello Students:
Welcome to another course in Cuesta College's Library/Information Technology series. Our program is designed to prepare individuals for employment as a paraprofessional in a public, school, academic, special library or information center.
This is the Welcome Page for the distance education course Library/Information Technology 209 (Library Public Services), Fall 2024. LIBT 209 surveys library services provided to "the public", that is, the clientele, of different types of libraries (school, academic, public, special)--including the philosophy, policies and procedures associated with reference/information-finding and circulation services. The course emphasizes skill-building in defining and executing search strategies. Each student in this class will need to make in-person use of a public library, college library or university library near their home in order to complete a couple of key class assignments. Local students will need to conduct one, 2-hour shadow reference assignment at the Cuesta SLO Campus Library. {Subject to local COVID health protocols}
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for LIBT 209
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of how to use the major college library resources, electronic and print, covered in the Library Information Literacy Assignment, "LILA" (formerly called the Library Research Workbook).
- Summarize the importance of the reference interview in answering patrons' library research requests.
- Explain the bibliographic resources and processes used to fulfill a library patron's interlibrary loan request.
- Develop practical guidelines and policies for the circulation of library materials.
Pre-requisites
When registering for this course, it is recommended that you have already completed the introductory class Library/Information Technology 201 (Introduction to Library Services, formerly LIBT 101) or also be enrolled in LIBT 201 for the Fall 2024 semester.
Civility in the Online Environment
Offering our courses online is an exciting and challenging experience for all of us. While online courses can be a convenient, virtual learning experience, distance education is not for everyone. Please note that just as with a traditional in-person classroom, all online students are bound by the Cuesta College Student Code of Conduct, Board Policy 5500Links to an external site. Links to an external site. in terms of academic honesty and exhibiting civil behavior in the online classroom and in all course e-mail and posts 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 (must be verified with the college's DSPS department Links to an external site.) 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.
The following is important information that may answer some of your questions about how the class will operate. Please read it carefully now as you are registering and again before the class begins. We hope you will enjoy the opportunity to participate in an innovative learning environment.
Sincerely,
Denise Fourie
Instructor, Library/Information Technology
Cuesta College
P. O. Box 8106
Highway One
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8106
dfourie@cuesta.edu
Phone: (805) 592-9280
Library/Information Technology Dept. Phone: (805) 592-9287
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 we meet?
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 summer (May 20-August 8)?
How do I withdraw from ("drop") the class?
What tools do I need?
What software do I need?
Will I need to physically go to a library for this class?
Is there a required textbook to buy?
Can you give me any tips on Distance Education?
When does the class begin and end?
The class officially begins on Monday, August 14, 2024. The last day of the class is Wednesday, December 13, 2024.
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Is there a mandatory orientation for this class?
This semester there is no mandatory orientation for this class. We will offer an optional Welcome Webinar via the Zoom Platform during evening hours at the beginning of the term in mid August; exact time and date TBC.
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Do I need to do anything before we meet?
Yes. It is very important to understand that the work for an online class 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 current 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 on Canvas the first date the course begins (Mon. Aug. 12), 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.
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Where is the complete course web site with syllabus?
The online class syllabus will be available to enrolled students through the Canvas website https://cuesta. instructure.com/ or by going to Cuesta Home PageLinks to an external site. and clicking on the Canvas link in the upper center of the page.
Canvas Login Name and Password are the same as your my.Cuesta Login Name and Password: firstname_lastname (all lower case). So, a student named Joan Smith would be joan_smith; Juan Ortiz would be: juan_ortiz
Contact information for online Canvas help if you can't login or submit assignments:
- Send an email to support@cuesta.edu
- Include your name, class, section number, instructor's name.
- Describe the problem you are experiencing including what browser/version you are using.
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What is the schedule for readings and homework?
The course syllabus on Canvas (accessible Mon. Aug. 12) 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 Zone/Los Angeles time) of the specified day (usually on Tuesdays).
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What about e-mail communication with the Instructor?
Generally, while 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
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What about communicating with the Instructor and the Library Office during the summer (May 19-August 7)?
If you have questions about this course or the overall program during the summer break, please read the following:
The instructor will be off duty from May 19-August 7, 2024. From May 19-June 14, she will be traveling and will be unable to answer any e-mail or return telephone calls. For the remainder of the summer, she will be checking e-mail on a weekly basis.
Other contacts include:
Please note that due to state budget cutbacks and the pandemic, the library staff have had their work hours reduced. We will do our best to respond to your questions during the summer. Please allow a longer response time than usual.
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How do I withdraw from ("drop") the 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 classLinks to an external site..
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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. Both Cuesta campus libraries (SLO and Paso Robles' North County Campus) have limited Internet desktop computers located in open labs that are available on a walk-in basis for students. There are also Chromebooks available for check-out to students on a first-come, first-serve basis (these are very popular-be sure to ask the first week of class for availability).
You should be very comfortable using the web and e-mail including opening and formatting documents as .docx, .pdf and .jpg for attachments. 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. We will also use the Zoom video conferencing app for some things.
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What software do I need?
Browser: We recommend that you use the most current version of a standard browser such as Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Google Chrome.
Word Processing: Any recent version (2 years old or newer) of Microsoft Word, the standard word processing software, is needed for composing your assignments. Outdated, non-standard software is not acceptable. Apple's Pages may not be compatible with Canvas and is not recommended. If you do compose in Pages, you will need to convert your final document to a .pdf and then submit to Canvas.
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..
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Zoom App: We will use this for some things, including our Welcome Webinar in mid-August. Be sure to download the free app in advanceLinks to an external site..
Will I need to physically go to a library for this class?
Yes. Each student in this class will need to make in-person use of a public library, college library, or university library near their home in order to complete several key class assignments.
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Is there a required textbook to buy?
Yes. There is a required textbook:
- Libraries in the Information Age, 3rd ed., c. 2016, by Denise K. Fourie and Nancy E. Loe. (Portions of this text will be used in other courses in our program.)
You may purchase the textbook through online booksellers or from our campus bookstoreLinks to an external site. in early August. The Cuesta Library also has purchased ebook access to the text. Contact the instructor for info.
Can you give me any tips on distance education or on using Canvas?
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