Guidelines For Creating Library Assignments
Definition | Rationale | Procedure | Palomar's Plan | Competencies | Creating Assignments | BI Classes | Links | Checklist | Assignments

Purpose:

An effective library assignment will develop students' information competency.  It will provide an opportunity for students to independently add to their knowledge base and empower them throughout their lives.

How does the assignment relate to the course subject matter and how does it relate to the process of locating and using information?

   Considerations:

1. Does the student understand the purpose of the assignment? (Clarity)
2. Does the library have the resources required for successful completion of the assignment? (Feasibility)
3. Do the students need instruction in using any of the required resources? (Preparation)
4. Have you clearly stated your expectations?  Do students need information in a certain time frame or from a certain type of resource such as magazine or journal? (Specificity)
5. Have you allowed enough time for completing assignment? (Scheduling)
6. Does the assignment encourage critical thinking?  For example students may compare two sources or take a position in relation to a subject. (Analytical)
7. Is the assignment relevant to the course or the student's personal experience? (Relevancy)

Faculty/Library Collaboration:

1. Provide a copy of the assignment for the librarians.
2. Consult with the librarians if students were frustrated in successfully completing the assignment.  Develop a strategy to ensure future success.
3. Schedule a library tour.  The librarian will develop a presentation to explain library tools that are tailored to your student's assignment.

Types of Library Assignments:

    1.    Bibliography/Citation Completion

            Example:

Locate two articles for "your topic."  Use an electronic periodical database for one article and a print database for the other article.

            Complete the information requested about the article:

            Title of the article ________________________________________________

            Author/s of the article _____________________________________________

            Journal or Magazine Title __________________________________________

            Volume: ____________     Number: ____________    Pages: ____________

            Month: ____________     Day: ____________    Year: ____________

    2.    Research Paper/Oral Report/Essay

Students will need guidance in: topic selection and statement of the problem to be explored; review of the literature; development of supporting evidence and; writing a bibliography.

    3.   Skills Exercises

Examples:
Pick a subject area related to your major and find an academic, corporate, and personal Web page/site that mentions the topic.  Use one of the WWW search engines to locate the pages.  Critically compare and contrast the format, structure, and information provided in each Web page.

    4.    Short Answer

Examples:
Pick a medium to large city in the United States and locate information about the crime rate.  Try to include a breakdown of different types of crime (violent, burglary, etc.)

Pick a society or organization related to your major field of study and provide as much of the following information as you can:
    (Use both print and electronic resources.)
Membership requirements; Mission and objectives; Publications; Activities.
Does the organization have a web page?  If so, provide the URL.

Bibliographic Instruction Class:

The library offers a variety of customized orientations.  Call the Reference Desk to schedule an orientation at San Marcos (ext. 2616) or Escondido Center (ext. 8113).  Orientations should be scheduled at least one week in advance.

Open workshops may also scheduled throughout the semester to introduce students, staff, and faculty in the use of our electronic resources including Internet, OPAC, and online databases. The dates are posted on the library's homepage.

Return to Information Competency Home Page