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Overview Courses Faculty

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The American River College Library courses teach vital research skills that enable students to achieve success in their college classes, their careers, and their day-to-day lives. Students will learn research skills to cope with the information rich environment in which they live. In particular, students will learn how to find and critically evaluate information from a wide variety of sources to meet their information needs.

Dean Diana Garcia
Department Chairs David McCusker
Phone (916) 484-8455

Library (LIBR) Courses

LIBR 318 Library Research and Information Literacy

Units:1
Hours:18 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:CISC 300 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area III(b)
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course introduces the skills necessary to conduct research and helps students refine their current research skills. This course covers the research process including developing search strategies, using a variety of research tools, and resources selecting relevant sources. Critical evaluation of information, including how bias, power, and privilege influence the creation of, dissemination of, and access to information is also explored. The topics covered in this course are applicable to personal, professional, and academic research.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

recognize how information literacy is applied in personal, professional, and academic research.
develop strategies for identifying, exploring, and refining a research topic.
use a variety of research tools and resources to search for and access information.
evaluate sources to determine credibility, relevance, privilege, and how information is impacted by the dominant culture.
explain the importance of information ethics, and how to use information ethically.
critique how bias, power, and privilege influence the creation, dissemination, and access to information.

LIBR 325 Internet Research Skills

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:CISC 300; and eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area III(b)
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course surveys the content, use, and evaluation of electronic information sources. Emphasis is placed on the effective use of the Internet as a research tool. It covers Internet resources including the deep Web, Web portals, online databases, and library catalogs. Communication services such as email, newsgroups, listservs, blogs, and social networks are also studied as are Web 2.0 and other emerging technologies. Database search strategies, techniques, and critical evaluation of information are covered. Historical and social issues surrounding the Internet are also discussed.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

describe the historical and ongoing development of the Internet with emphasis on technical, social, economic, legal, and ethical issues.
compare and contrast information retrieval systems, such as search engines, directories, and library databases in terms of content, reliability, ease of use, and consistency.
identify online databases and other electronic sources to select the most appropriate, relevant information for a research need.
formulate a research question and construct effective search strategies and techniques that address the nature of the question.
critically evaluate online information for authority, relevance, scope, timeliness, and accuracy.

LIBR 494 Topics in Library Science

Units:0.5 - 4
Hours:9 - 72 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides an opportunity to study current topics in library science that are not included in existing courses.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Analyze an information need and determine the extent of information needed
Access information effectively and efficiently
Evaluate information and its sources critically
Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
Describe the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information

LIBR 495 Independent Studies in Library

Units:1 - 3
Hours:18 - 54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides an opportunity for independent study on issues related to library science.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Analyze an information need and determine the extent of information needed
Access information effectively and efficiently
Evaluate information and its sources critically
Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
Describe the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information

LIBR 499 Experimental Offering in Library

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the experimental courses description.

Library Resources & Services

The American River College Library provides information resources and services to support the mission of American River College and supplement the instructional programs of the college. For more information:

Visit ARC Library