Central Connecticut State University recently joined many other undergraduate programs around the country in adding a library skills course to its elective curriculum. "Library Resources and Skills" is a one credit PASS/FAIL course designed to assist all students who are unfamiliar with library tools become adept in their usage.

The following is a description of the class that will appear in the next course catalog: Through discussion, lecture, and hands-on assignments, students will learn how to choose and use the correct information sources to meet the challenges of academic, professional, and personal life. Focuses on print as well as electronic resources including CD-ROM and the Internet.

The course has been taught twice: once in Wintersession 1995 and once in the Spring Semester 1996. It will be offered in both the Spring and Fall semesters in the future. Eighteen students have passed the course, and students' comments about the course have been constructive and complimentary. Students are encouraged to register for the course, and should keep the following in mind:

Most people who begin the course are intimidated by computers, but most students get over this hurdle. These students are appreciative of the non-threatening exposure and practice that the course affords them.

Executing research does not provide immediate gratification. Students who take this course become familiar with the library and learn different approaches to getting their research done. Just as importantly, they come to appreciate the "research process." Library Resources and Skills does include out-of-class homework assignments that requires the students to use the library's online catalog, the World Wide Web, CD-ROM, and online databases, as well as printed resources. A broad range of library resources are introduced.

LSC 150 meets once each week that classes are in session. Class size is limited to twenty students. The class meets each Friday from noon to 12:50. The classroom is the Curriculum Lab Classroom on the third floor of the Elihu Burritt Library.

Here is a condensed syllabus to illustrate the coverage of "Library Resources and Skills" (LSC 150):

Class Meeting 1: Introduction, objectives of the course, discussion of the term project: producing a "Pathfinder" for a topic of the student's choice.

Class Meeting 2: Submit "Pathfinder" topic. Library Tour. Highlight of special resources: example: microforms (how to use microfilm and microfiche machines). How the library is organized.

Class Meeting 3: Types of information found in the library. Books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and databases. Introduction to the Library of Congress Subject Headings.

Class Meeting 4: Library of Congress Subject Classification and its practical meaning for students.

Class Meeting 5: Demonstration of CONSULS to locate both books and journal or magazine articles.

Class Meeting 6: Bibliographic citations and their practical meaning for students.

Class Meeting 7: Introduction to specific databases (both online and CD-ROM)

Class Meeting 8: Developing search strategies (including using thesauri)

Class Meeting 9: Introduction to important, frequently used Reference books in this Library's (and most libraries') Reference Collection.

Class Meeting 10: Reference works-- continued.

Class Meeting 11: Introduction to major printed indexes.

Class Meeting 12: Demonstration of the World Wide Web and search engines

Class Meeting 13: Working on the "pathfinder" -- "Putting it all together"

Class Meeting 14: Working on the "pathfinder" -- "Putting it all together"

Class Meeting 15: Final examination

Library Resources and Skills is challenging; it's also excellent preparation for doing a paper or becoming comfortable with the library. There is usually an assignment each week. For example, after meeting 5 (demonstration of CONSULS), students are asked to look for several specific materials by using CONSULS. Similarly, after the demonstration of the World Wide Web, students are asked to use search engines to find materials on the Internet.

If you are a student who can benefit from an overview of the library's resources or, if you are a faculty member who knows students who could benefit from this course, consider Library Resources and Skills!