COE Library/Bibliographic Instruction Component 

The Library component of COE 101 has been revised in order to provide more emphasis in research skills. These are the ability to locate information (especially using modern methods), evaluate what is found, and to manage what is kept. 

An assignment will be given which will require students to use the various reference tools available in the Bethel Library. In retrieving the necessary information to answer the questions, the students will become familiar with the selected print sources as well as gain experience in searching databases and using the web for academic research. It is hoped that the sources introduced will prove useful throughout the student's college career and for a lifetime of independent learning. 

The questions for the assignment will be drawn from various areas of the Library. There will also be a Pre and Post Test given to access the student's overall knowledge of Library structure and function. A User Survey will be completed upon turning in the assignment. 

Library areas to be covered in this class

  1. Card catalog
  2. Books—general collection
  3. Books—Reference
  4. Books—Reserve
  5. Journals
  6. Vertical, Author, Education Files
  7. Data Disks
  8. Periodical Reserve
  9. Interlibrary Loans
  10. Videos, CD’s, CD-ROM’s, Vinyl
  11. Library Web Site—online databases and web resources

Expanded information

The Card catalog

  1. Different types of cards:  Author, Title, Subject, Reference.
  2. Cards lead to different sections of Library.
  3. Dewey Decimal System used to catalog books.
  4. Location info:  Dewey #, Author #, Date.
  5. Eventually changed to Library of Congress system, automated check out, search catalog with computers.
  6. Use your Bethel ID card to check out materials.

Title Card Example

Author Card Example

 

Subject Card Example

There are two main ways that books and other materials are organized in most libraries:  the Dewey Decimal System or the Library of Congress System.  Currently the Bethel College Library uses the Dewey Decimal System on index-sized cards located in the drawers of the Card Catalog.  The Card Catalog is located in the middle of the main floor of the Library.  You can see it facing the main entrance as you walk in the Library.

In the future the library will change its classifying system to the Library of Congress when it changes over its cataloging to the digital domain.  For now, however, users should familiarize themselves with the Card Catalog and the standard subject breakdown of the Dewey Decimal System.

Dewey Decimal System Categories

000-General Works
100-Philosophy, Psychology
200-Religion, Mythology
300-Social Science
400-Language
500-Pure Science
600-Applied Science or Technology
700-Fine Arts
800-Literature
900-History

From this large-scale structure it is further broken down within the groups of hundreds.  For example, the 700’s contain Fine Arts, but books on the specific fine art subject of Music are specifically classified in the 780’s.  It is probably not necessary to memorize the entire structure of the system.  It can however be very useful to know the location of subjects that you will be doing coursework in or that may interest you. 

It is also currently possible to search on the Internet for a book in the Library.  Go to the Library Home Page and click the link that reads ‘Library Web Catalog’.  That will take you to a site on which you can search for a book by keyword, author, subject or title.

The books in the library are physically located in different areas of the library.  The General Collection Section is upstairs covering the back half of the library.  The Reference Section is upstairs to the right as you walk in.  The Reserve Section is upstairs behind the front desk.  The Curriculum Media Center (CMC) Section is downstairs in the back.  It contains mainly materials for students in the Education Program.  The Periodical Section is downstairs in the front.  It contains back issues of journals and magazines bound to look like books. 

Books—General Collection 

  1. Currently listed by Dewey classification.
  2. General physical location in Library—upstairs back half.
  3. Be familiar with classification and location of your field of study, your major or some subject that interests you.
  4. Check out books for three weeks with your Bethel ID Card.

Books—Reference Section

  1. Currently listed by Dewey classification, however look for R or REF on card.
  2. General physical location in Library—upstairs, right.  It is a miniature library unto itself.
  3. Be familiar with classification and location of your field of study, etc.
  4. Encyclopedias and Dictionaries are located here.
  5. Literature criticisms and biographies are located here.
  6. Conditional checkout:  Most are not to leave Library at all.  Exceptions can be made for school related work.

Books—Reserve Section

  1. Currently listed by Dewey classification, however look for RES or RESERVE on card.
  2. General physical location in Library—upstairs, behind front desk.  It is a very miniature library unto itself.
  3. Be familiar with classification and location of your field of study.
  4. Extremely conditional checkout:  Most are not to leave Library at all.  Exceptions can be made for school related work.
  5. Instructors place important assignment materials and personal copies of books here.

Journals

  1. Listing can be found at front desk (BLC Journals).
  2. Topic reference upstairs for some (American Heritage, Reader’s Digest, etc. upstairs across from front desk).
  3. General physical location in Library—downstairs, front half.

The Vertical File, the Author File, the Business Annual Reports, and the Place Media File are located in file cabinets upstairs along the back wall of the Library. 

The Vertical File contains information from newspaper clippings, magazine articles, pamphlets, and other sources that are not bound and thus difficult to place in the general collection.  Many times the information is on current, specific ‘hot topics’. 

The Author File contains biographical and criticism information on various authors.  The Library staff has worked closely with the English/Literature faculty to include authors and information that will be helpful in their class assignments.  Furthermore, some of the authors listed are cross-referenced with the Literature Criticism Books in the Reference Section.  When you need to have information for an English or Literature Class ask a Library Staff member for help on this aspect of the Author File. 

The Business Annual Reports is just that:  Annual Reports from various companies and corporations from around 1990-2000.  Annual Reports can also be accessed through the Business Web Resources on the Library Web Site. 

The Place Media File is in two sections:  World places and United States places.  It contains geographic, travel, cultural and other types of information. 

The Data Disk File is a collection of 3.5 floppies that contain information on various topics that have previously been researched. 

The Education File is located downstairs by the other Education Resources (CMC Section, education catalogs, etc.).  It contains mostly topics that relate to the field of Education & Teaching. 

Vertical, Author, Education & Other Files 

  1. Classified by Subject in the Card Catalog, look for VF on card.
  2. 3 ring binder containing VF Listings can also be found on VF cabinets and at the front desk (ask Library Staff for help).
  3. Physical location in library—file cabinets upstairs and downstairs.
  4. Author File topics (especially useful in Literature Research, integrated with Literary Criticisms and Bios in Reference Section Books).
  5. Education File downstairs by other Education Resources.  3 ring binder Listing of topics on file cabinets.

Data Disks 

  1. Classified by Subject in the Card Catalog, look for DD or Data Disk on card.
  2. 3 ring binder containing Data Disk Listings can also used at the front desk (ask Library Staff for help).
  3. Physical location in Library—back room ask for help at front desk.

Periodical Reserve  

  1. Classified by Subject in the Card Catalog, look for PR on card.
  2. 3 ring binder containing Periodical Reserve Listings can also used at the front desk (ask Library Staff for help).
  3. Physical location in Library—by Reserve Section, behind front desk.
  4. Contains reprints from Journals, Magazines & Periodicals that are filed by topic.

Interlibrary Loans  

  1. Listings of other libraries on Library website.
  2. Purpose is to get materials not available at Bethel on loan from other libraries.
  3. Form available at front desk (ask Library Staff for help).
  4. If you need to use this resource keep in mind that it can take a week or two to get the materials, so plan ahead.

Videos, CD’s, CD-ROM’s, Vinyl  

  1. Listing in back room of library (ask Library Staff for help).
  2. Videos physical location—back room, ask Library Staff for help.
  3. CD’s physical location—back room, ask Library Staff for help.
  4. Vinyl albums physical location—downstairs (Heritage Room), ask Library Staff for help.
  5. Other CD-ROM information available for academic research (mostly Business—Wilson Business Abstracts and Education—ERIC.  See Mr. Kelly, Library Director for use of these resources).

Considerable time has been spent creating a Library Web Site that can be used as an Academic Gateway to the Internet.  The Site contains links to full text online books and journals, as well as a link to a handy little e-dictionary and encyclopedia among several other helpful options.  See the print out of the Library Web Site Home Page for all main links. 

The two main features of the Site are:  Online Databases and Web Resources.  See printed web pages in Attachment.  

Online Databases are subscription web sites that start with search engines.  You can use these to search for academic journal articles that contain information on whatever topics you choose.  While it can sometimes be useful to use a general search engine (Yahoo, Dogpile, Lycos, etc.) the results may not always be helpful in accomplishing schoolwork.  The Online Databases will only search through a list of journal, magazine, and periodical articles so that you can have a better chance of finding information you can use in an academic context.  You will need to use some of the Online Databases in order to complete the assignment. 

The Web Resources are links to sites that were researched and found useful by Library Staff, Faculty and even students.  The Web Resources are either broken down by Bethel College Program or listed all together under various subject headings.  You will need to use some of both in order to complete the assignment. 

Library Web Site—online databases and web resources 

  1. Location online from Bethel College Home Page—Library Web Site.
  2. Passwords sometimes necessary (ask for help or Database Logon Sheet).
  3. Journal, magazine, periodical articles are available on each Online Database—Electric Library, Proquest, InfoTrac, Academic Abstracts, ERIC, Contemporary Authors, MD Consult, etc.
  4. Two main headings for web resources—by Program and General.
  5. Find Program listing for your major.

Conclusion 

The personal computer and the Internet are quickly and drastically changing the way that people do research, acquire information and manipulate the results.  Regardless of what specific field of study or line of work you are in or will be in, it is very important for you to get familiar and comfortable with the digital way of getting things done.

Although the digital world will only continue to grow, you are still expected to make use of the traditional (non-digital) resources available in the Library.  There is no substitute for a good book or article on the right subject when the Internet is down. 

Please make use of all the Library resources.  It is, of course, your best interest.

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