1. Library Tutorial Overview
This tutorial is designed to provide you with an introduction to the resources available from the Arapahoe Community College Library, as well as the basic concepts of library research. In a larger sense, these skills are part of what is called "information literacy"--the ability to find and use information. With today's "information explosion," information literacy is increasingly important for success in our educational, career and personal lives.
This tutorial focuses on the use of electronic resources, but we will also consider other aspects of library research, such as citing your research materials. The major topics covered include:
• How to identify and refine a research topic
• Tapping sources for background information
• Use of the electronic library catalog to locate books and other materials owned by the library
• Use of electronic databases to find journal, magazine and newspaper articles
• Evaluation of information sources, including Internet resources
We recommend that you go through each of the exercises in the order that they appear on the menu. When you have finished, complete the Library Skills quiz. You will be asked to e-mail your answers to the Library staff. Once the quiz is graded, we will send notification to your instructor. .
In creating the tutorial, the authors reviewed many other library sites. Many library sites were helpful, but especially the following:
California Polytechnic State University Library
Rutgers University Library
Texas Information Literacy Tutorial - University of Texas System Digital Library
This tutorial was originally designed and developed by Barbara Higgins and Gene Hayworth, and revised by Ed Sadowski.
To return to the Tutorial menu, please click here.
