Introduction to the LibraryFirst Year Seminar

Judi MorenoPublic Services Librarian, CMCC

jmoreno@cmcc.edu

Today we will

• Become comfortable with the staff of the library

• Get an orientation to some of the resources you’re expected to use in college

• Give yourself a tour of our library and compete “homework” before you leave

Your perceptions of the Library

A 2010 report by a large U.S. research organization asked the

following question to people of all ages:

“What's the first thing you think of when you hear the word library?”

69% of the respondents said books

Many others mentioned peace and quiet and shushing

librarians*

*De Rosa, C., Cantrell, J., Carlson, M., Gellagher, P., Hawk, J., & C. Sturtz. (2011) Perceptions of Libraries, 2010: Context and Community. Retrieved from: http://www.oclc.org/reports/2010perceptions/2010perceptions_all.pdf

What do you think of when you hear the word “Librarian”?

Meet Nancy Pearl iconic librarian at Seattle Public Library

author of Book Lust

But what are librarians really like?

CMCC has a staff of 3 librarians (and 5 work study students)

Our job, our training, and our passion is to help

you

Judi Moreno Public Services LibrarianDog lover

Judy FrostLibrary Director

Valerie Frechette Associate LibrarianCat lover

Your search habits

We know you start your search for information at

Google or Yahoo.

Can you guess what percent of students begin their research

at the library’s web site?

One report indicated less than 1% of information consumers started their research at the

library’s web site (De Rosa, 2011)

Another survey said that out of 89 people polled, not one

individual started their research at the library’s web site (Truth be told, 2010 )

Your search habits

Your search habits

Fewer Americans are asking for assistance with research at the

library.

Guess how many people asked for help from their librarian. (Either in

a public or academic library)

Today only 28% of users ask for help

Compared to 39% in 2005,

a decrease of 28% (DeRosa)

Your search habits

The internet. Its like a library, but all the books are in a huge pile in the middle of the floor and finding

information can feel like this:

What percentage of Americans in 2010 used Wikipedia?

1. Retrieved from: http://www.oclc.org/reports/2010perceptions/2010perceptions_all.pdf2. Retrieved from: http://projectinfolit.org/pdfs/PIL_ProgressReport_2_2009.pdf

What percentage of college students used Wikipedia as their

first “go-to” place for information?

73%of Americans in 2010

used Wikipedia

1. Retrieved from: http://www.oclc.org/reports/2010perceptions/2010perceptions_all.pdf2. Retrieved from: http://projectinfolit.org/pdfs/PIL_ProgressReport_2_2009.pdf

75%of college students used Wikipedia

as “their first go-to place” for information

One study shows students admit to feeling guilty, embarrassed, and even ‘naughty’ when using Wikipedia

So, what are the alternatives? Form a new habit! Ask for help!

instead of these try these

References

De Rosa, C., Cantrell, J., Carlson, M., Gellagher, P., Hawk, J., & C. Sturtz. (2011) Perceptions of Libraries, 2010: Context and Community. Retrieved from: http://www.oclc.org/reports/2010perceptions/2010perceptions_all.pdf

Head, A. & Eisenberg, M. (2010) Truth be told: How college students evaluate and use information in the digital age. Project Information Literacy. Retrieved from: http://projectinfolit.org/pdfs/PIL_Fall2010_Survey_FullReport1.pdf

Head, A. & Eisenberg, M. (2009) Finding Context: What today’s college students say about conducting research in the digital age. Project Information Literacy. Retrieved from: http://projectinfolit.org/pdfs/PIL_ProgressReport_2_2009.pdf