The document outlines the syllabus for an introductory course on accessing information in the 21st century. The 6 main goals of the course are to teach students how to determine research topics, access different types of information resources effectively, critically evaluate information sources, structure effective research strategies, acquire lifelong learning skills, and use information ethically. The syllabus provides an outline of the 14 class sessions which will cover topics such as searching the online catalog, databases, reference resources, evaluating sources, and completing a final research project. Students will learn key research skills and complete assignments on books, journal articles, and websites.

1. ACCESSING INFORMATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY (LIB100)
Goals:
1. Students will learn how to determine the nature and extent of information needed
in order to identify a suitable research topic.
2. Students will become familiar with the strengths and limitations of different types
of information resources and the media through which these resources are
presented in order to access resources effectively.
3. Students will learn strategies for the critical evaluation of information in order to
evaluate the reliability of a resource and determine the biases that are inherent in
a resource.
4. Students will learn how to structure and implement their own research strategies
in order to plan and execute an effective search.
5. Students will acquire in-depth knowledge of library services and resources in
order to be lifelong learners.
6. Students will develop awareness of the legal, economic, political and social
aspects of information resources in order to use information ethically.
Instructors:
Your information here
Recommended Textbooks
You are not required to purchase either of these, but we highly recommend purchasing
one or the other. Copies are available for in-library use in the Reference Department.
You should use the one that corresponds to the citation style you select to use for your
final project. These are available at the Bookstore.
 MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 6th ed. New York: MLA,
2003.
 Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.).
(2001). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Attendance: Attendance will be taken at each class session. Please let one of the
instructors know in advance if you will be unable to attend a class session.
Course Assignments and Grading
Your Info Here
Blackboard
This course will make extensive use of Blackboard. We will post all assignments in
Blackboard and your assignments and final project should be submitted electronically
through Blackboard. The Blackboard gradebook will be used for students to track their
status.
ThinkPads
Several class sessions will require you to bring your ThinkPads. Advance notice will be
provided.
LIB 100 Syllabus – updated 4/13/2011 1

2. LIB 100 – Accessing Information -- Course Outline
Class 1 Introduction
 Introductions
 Syllabus
 Final Project Information
 Library tour
Assignment: Annotated Bibliography Topic
Class 2 Getting to a Research Topic
 Steps in the Research Process
 Broadening and Narrowing Your Topic
 Search Terms
 In-class exercise: Broadening and Narrowing Paper topics
Class 3 Search Terms
 Research Questions
 Concepts
 Controlled Vocabularies
 Search Terms
 In-Class Exercise: Concept Blocking for your topic
DUE: Annotated Bibliography Topic
Class 4 Searching the Online Catalog
 Search Terms vs. Subject Headings; Keywords, etc.
Bring Your  Truncation, Boolean Operators.
THINKPAD  Using the online catalog to search: types of searches, limits, how to
interpret your results.
 LC Subject Headings
 In-Class Exercise: Searching the Online Catalog – getting to subject
headings
Class 5 Evaluating and Citing Your Sources
 Tips on evaluating resources
Bring your  Style Guides (MLA and APA)
ThinkPad  Why citations are important (Plagiarism)
 In-Class exercise: Citation practice
Class 6 Reference Resources
 Types of resources found in Reference and
Bring your  Finding Reference Books in the catalog.
ThinkPad  Evaluation of reference resources.
 In-Class Exercise: Searching for and finding reference sources
LIB 100 Syllabus – updated 4/13/2011 2

3. Class 7 Books and Annotations
 How books are classified (LC Call number and LC Subject Headings)
Bring your  How to find books in the Online Catalog
ThinkPad  How to find book in the ZSR Library
 Evaluation of books for research
 Writing Annotations
 In-class Exercise: Getting started on Assignment #1
Assignment: Books assignment. (Assignment #1)
Class 8 Databases #1 – Journals and Online Databases
 Scholarly vs. non-scholarly articles
Bring your  Academic publishing
ThinkPad  ZSR’s Find a Journal page
 Selecting appropriate databases for potential topics.
 In Class Exercise: Picking databases for your topic
Due: Books Assignment. (Assignment #1)
Class 9 Databases #2 – Searching Databases and Getting to Results
 Complex searching in databases
Bring your  Evaluating Articles
ThinkPad  Scholarly vs. non-scholarly articles
 Citing articles from a database
 In-Class Exercise: Getting started on Assignment #2
Assignment: Journal Assignment (Assignment #2)
Class 10 Issues in Information
 Current issues in information
Due: Journal Assignment (Assignment #2)
Class 11 Web Resources #1 -- Searching the Internet
 Search engines v. search directories v. meta search engines.
Bring your  Invisible Web
ThinkPad  Search strategies
Class 12 Web Resources #2 -- Evaluating and Citing Web Sites
 Evaluation of free Web resources
Bring your  Citing Web Sites
ThinkPad  In-Class Exercise: Getting started on Assignment #3
to class
Assignment: Web Site Assignment (Assignment #3)
LIB 100 Syllabus – updated 4/13/2011 3

4. Class 13 Cool Tools for Research
 Research express
Bring your  Journal Finder
ThinkPad  Voyager Bookbag, saved searches, account management
to class  Library Services: ILL, Personal Reference Sessions,
Due: Web Site Assignment (Assignment #3)
Class 14 Final Project Review
 Instructions for final project
 Final project checklist
Course Evaluations
ADD DATE Final Project Due
LIB 100 Syllabus – updated 4/13/2011 4