C.O.D. Library ESL/ABE/GED Faculty Newsletter January 2011
Resource of the Month
www.cod.edu/library The COD Library website is your gateway to limitless information. If that sounds somewhat daunting to you, don't worry! The first thing to keep in mind when finding your way around our site is that there are two different ways to find two different kinds of information. First, if you're looking for something that we have in the library, whether physical (like a book or a DVD) or virtual (like a website or an article from a database) you want to begin with the "I Want to Find" box on the top left of the homepage. Tabs on the top of this box allow you to search the Library catalog ("Books, Videos & More"), print and online journal holdings ("Databases & Articles") or Google ("Websites"). There are other ways to access all of these tools from the
Happy New Year from the Library The start of a new semester is always a crazy time, isn't it? There's the initial shock of coming back after a nice long winter break, but also all the catching up to do. I was proud of myself for not checking my email while I was on vacation, but paid for it with a full inbox when came back to work on Monday! While you're sorting through your own inbox and generally acclimating yourself to a new semester, consider how the Library can help you and your students get off to a good start this Spring. Reserves Are there books, movies or other materials to which you'd like all of your students to have access? Consider putting those items on reserve at the Library's circulation desk. Items on reserve can be made available for check-out or for Library use only. We can even make material available online! Use the online forms or contact Circulation for more information. Library Cards Faculty, staff, students and community members are all eligible for a free C.O.D. Library borrower's card. Not only can these cards can be used to checkout Library material, but provide access to thousands of online resources like eBooks, streaming media, image collections and article databases. Individual students can get library cards at the Circulation desk as well as at the Centers for Independent Learning in Naperville, Bloomingdale and Westmont. Interested in getting Library cards for your entire class? Send completed Library Card applications to Circulation (via campus mail) along with a copy of your class roster and we'll send your students' cards back to you within a week. Introduction to the Library During the first two full weeks of the semester, the Library's SOS Workshop Series presents a 90-minute session called "Introduction to the Library for New Students". Though this workshop is the perfect orientation for new students, it's also a great way for new instructors or instructors who aren't familiar with the Library to learn about our services. Sessions are offered twice weekly and held in Library classroom 3060.
Library's site, but this is the quick and easy way.
• Tue. January 18, 2-3:30 pm
Second, if you're looking for information about the Library (contact information, policies, services), you can use the "Search This Site" box located in the upper-right hand corner at the top of almost every page our site. This box allows you to do a Google-like search of the entire Library website, allowing you to find information that is tucked away inside our Research Guides, blog posts, service pages and more.
• Mon. January 24, 6-7:30 pm
Still feeling overwhelmed? Just look for the "Ask a Librarian" link at the top of every page. Here you'll see all of the options for getting the help you need when you need it.
Your Librarian Jenn Kelley Reference Librarian Office: SRC 3043A Phone: (630) 942-2383 E-mail: kelleyj@cod.edu Library Website: www.cod.edu/library
• Thu. January 20, 6-7:30 pm
• Wed. January 26, 2-3:30 pm No registration is required. Library Orientations and Instruction Sessions No matter what level class you're teaching, there is a Library orientation or instruction session that's perfect for your students. Whether you just want your students to know where the Library is or you plan on assigning a research project, I can work with you to set up a session that is memorable, practical and educational. Descriptions of session options are available on the ESL and ABE/GED Research Guides, but don't let the list limit you! Remember, it's never too early to schedule a Library visit or to request a classroom visit from one of our ESL/ABE/GED instruction team librarians. General Assistance Don't forget: we're your Library, too! Contact the Reference Desk or me directly for answers, help or any reason at all! I'm more than happy to work with instructors to create information literacy assessments, find materials to support instruction or even to answer questions about Blackboard v9! Don't be shy-- if we don't know the answers, we're happy to help you find someone who does. As always, I look forward to working with you and your students this semester!