This document provides an overview of a library orientation for first year students. It discusses students' perceptions of libraries and how they have traditionally associated them with books and quiet spaces. It also notes that few students begin research on the library website or ask librarians for help, instead preferring sources like Google, Yahoo and Wikipedia. The document encourages students to get help from librarians and try alternative information sources besides Wikipedia.

1. Introduction to the Library
First Year Seminar
Judi Moreno
Public Services Librarian, CMCC
jmoreno@cmcc.edu

2. Today we will
• Become comfortable with the staff of
the library
• Get an orientation to some of the
resources you’re expected to use in
college
• Give yourself a tour of our library and
compete “homework” before you
leave

3. Your perceptions of the Library
A 2010 report by a large U.S.
research organization asked the
following question to
people of all ages:
“What's the first thing you think of
when you hear the word library?”

4. 69% of the respondents said
books
Many others mentioned peace
and quiet and shushing
librarians*
*De Rosa, C., Cantrell, J., Carlson, M., Gellagher, P., Hawk, J., & C. Sturtz. (2011) Perceptions of Libraries, 2010: Context and
Community. Retrieved from: http://www.oclc.org/reports/2010perceptions/2010perceptions_all.pdf

5. What do you think of when you hear the
word “Librarian”?
Meet Nancy Pearl
iconic librarian at Seattle Public Library
author of Book Lust

6. But what are
librarians
really like?
CMCC has a staff
of 3 librarians (and
5 work study students)
Our job, our
training, and our
passion is to help
you
Judi Moreno
Public Services Librarian
Dog lover
Judy Frost
Library Director
Valerie Frechette
Associate Librarian
Cat lover

7. Your search habits
We know you start your search for
information at
Google or Yahoo.
Can you guess what percent of students
begin their research
at the library’s web site?

8. Your search habits
One report indicated less than
1% of information consumers
started their research at the
library’s web site (De Rosa, 2011)
Another survey said that out of
89 people polled, not one
individual started their research
at the library’s web site (Truth be told, 2010 )

9. Your search habits
Fewer Americans are asking for
assistance with research at the
library.
Guess how many people asked for
help from their librarian. (Either in
a public or academic library)

10. Your search habits
Today only 28% of
users ask for help
Compared to 39%
in 2005,
a decrease of 28% (DeRosa)

11. The internet. Its like a library, but all the books are
in a huge pile in the middle of the floor and finding
information can feel like this:

12. What percentage of Americans
in 2010 used Wikipedia?
What percentage of college
students used Wikipedia as their
first “go-to” place for information?
1. Retrieved from: http://www.oclc.org/reports/2010perceptions/2010perceptions_all.pdf
2. Retrieved from: http://projectinfolit.org/pdfs/PIL_ProgressReport_2_2009.pdf

13. 73%
of Americans in 2010
used Wikipedia
75%
of college students used Wikipedia
as “their first go-to place” for
information
1. Retrieved from: http://www.oclc.org/reports/2010perceptions/2010perceptions_all.pdf
2. Retrieved from: http://projectinfolit.org/pdfs/PIL_ProgressReport_2_2009.pdf

14. One study shows students admit to feeling guilty,
embarrassed, and even ‘naughty’ when using Wikipedia

15. So, what are the alternatives?
Form a new habit! Ask for help!
instead of these try these

16. References
De Rosa, C., Cantrell, J., Carlson, M., Gellagher, P., Hawk, J., & C. Sturtz. (2011)
Perceptions of Libraries, 2010: Context and Community. Retrieved from:
http://www.oclc.org/reports/2010perceptions/2010perceptions_all.pdf
Head, A. & Eisenberg, M. (2010) Truth be told: How college students evaluate
and use information in the digital age. Project Information Literacy. Retrieved
from: http://projectinfolit.org/pdfs/PIL_Fall2010_Survey_FullReport1.pdf
Head, A. & Eisenberg, M. (2009) Finding Context: What today’s college
students say about conducting research in the digital age. Project Information
Literacy. Retrieved from:
http://projectinfolit.org/pdfs/PIL_ProgressReport_2_2009.pdf