The College Readiness Committee, whose members include both Central Virginia high school and college/university librarians, presented a session at the Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL) annual conference in Williamsburg, VA. Committee members worked together to research issues surrounding our high school graduates – whether they enroll in college, get a job, or enlist in the military. During the session, attendees participated in a engaging discussion that addressed how we can: better prepare students, partner with teachers, and communicate with school/district leadership.
Category: Information Literacy
New Catalog is here!
Reynolds Libraries has a new and improved online catalog! The new catalog can be accessed by conducting a search in the main search box on the library website, or you can access it directly with the following URL: https://vcc-srl-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/search?vid=JSRCC
If you previously bookmarked the old catalog link, please make sure you update it to the new link.
There are a couple things to note at this time:
- Database articles and electronic resources are currently being added to the system so in the meantime you will be better off searching individual databases by going to the A-Z databases page.
- There will be forthcoming customizations made to the look of the interface (color schemes, logos, images, etc.) so thank you for your patience as we continue to enhance the look and feel!
As with the old catalog, you can use the “My Account” feature to renew items, check the status of current checkouts, and place requests.
In the upper right side of the page, click “Guest”:
then click on “SIGN IN” (you will then be taken to the MyReynolds login page; once logged in, you will be taken to your account)
We will continue to make updates and announcements regarding the new catalog and hope that you will enjoy the improved catalog!
Free research workshops!
Need help with starting your research or citing resources for a research assignment? Then register to attend to our free library research workshops being held at both the Downtown and Parham Road campuses. The workshops we have scheduled for this summer semester include:
- Research the Smart Way: Getting too many results with that Google search? Need to get a research paper done and not sure how? Learn how to research the smart way with the Reynolds Librarians. We’ve got everything you need to get started. Here’s what we’ll cover: Creating topic ideas; introduce the library catalog and databases as well as search strategies; how to access databases from home; learn the differences between Google and the library.
- Cite it Right: APA and MLA: Not sure what MLA or APA citation styles are? Need to know how to do cite properly? Let the Reynolds Librarians help you get on the right path! Here’s what we’ll cover: Learn what a citation is and how to identify its parts; how to cite a variety of print and online sources in APA and MLA style using citation tools.
Ask your instructor/s if you can receive extra credit for attending these workshops. Looking forward to seeing you at our workshops!
Image: “The Research Process” by Kim Louie, Lumen Learning is licensed under CC BY 4.0
APA & MLA Citation Help!
Don’t forget that Reynolds Libraries can assist you with citing sources for your research assignments in the following ways:
- Schedule a personalized research consultation with a Reynolds Librarian at any campus library
- Attend a Cite it Right workshop in April
- Checkout our APA and MLA online guides
- Faculty – schedule an instruction session tailored to a specific citation style for your classes
- Register for a free EasyBIB EDU account
For additional information, contact Reynolds Libraries
Getting our Nerd on: Highlights from The Innovative Library Classroom
Denise Woetzel and Suzanne Sherry attended and presented at The Innovative Library Classroom (TILC), an annual day long conference held at Radford University which is dedicated to the exploration of innovative practices related to the teaching and learning of information literacy in academic libraries. College and university librarians and teaching faculty gathered from Virginia and from other states as far as California to learn about the latest information literacy initiatives developed and implemented at other academic institutions. Denise and Suzanne gained much insight on various information literacy issues related to pedagogical theories, collaborative initiatives, instructional methods, assessment, emerging technologies, librarians’ roles, and marketing. Through networking with conference participants, Denise and Suzanne also learned about the many information literacy opportunities and challenges encountered by other academic institutions.
Some session highlights from TILC 2017 included:
Poster Sessions:
- Meeting your Students Where they Are: Making the Most of Your School’s LMS presented by Bernadette Miro & Mason Yang from Marymount University
- Beyond the CRAAP Test: A New Tool for Source Evaluation presented by Joi Jackson from George Mason University
- One-On-One Research Help: Designing Services that Support Enduring Relationships with First-Year Students presented by Jennie Goforth & Kodi Saylor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Presentations:
- Innovating the First-Year Experience Proposal (handout) presented by Denise A. Wetzel from Mississippi State University
- A Single Shot of Critical Pedagogy presented by Katelyn Tucker Burton from Virginia Western Community College and Alyssa Archer & Michele Ren from Radford University
- Urban Legend or Practical Pedagogy presented by Candice Benjes-Small & Jennifer-Whicker from Radford University
Lightning Talks:
- They Want Me to Teach APA for 75 Students? Transforming Citation Instruction for Large (or Small) Classes presented by Lisa Becksford from Virginia Tech University
- The Struggle is Real: Facilitating Information Literacy Learning by Being Leaders of Failure presented by Liz McGlynn Bellamy from Radford University
Denise, Suzanne and Josh Watson also presented a session at the conference, Library Live! Collaborating towards Heightened Information Literacy & Retention in English Composition Classes. During the session they discussed the development, facilitation and assessment of student-centered information literacy activities in several ENG-111 and 112 class sections and how these “class within a class” Library Live sessions increased student retention, engagement and success. Research activities and deliverables as well as pre and post assessment findings were shared during the session.
If you would like to talk to Denise or Suzanne about the conference or collaborate with them on developing and facilitating information literacy sessions with your classes, you can contact them by email or phone:
- Denise Woetzel, mwoetzel@reynolds.edu / 523-5325
- Suzanne Sherry, ssherry@reynolds.edu / 523-5226
Instagram for InstaCredit?
The library is proud to introduce the new and improved Library Scavenger hunt! The Library Scavenger hunt is a great activity for your class that incorporates technology, information literacy modules, and a library orientation all in one fun session.
Students working in teams search for library resources and post their answers, with a few selfies along the way, on Instagram. Back in the library classroom, teams present their answers and are scored for accuracy.
We are excited to offer this activity to your classes. The activity can be scheduled for 50-75 minutes depending on your time frame.
Contact us to schedule a Scavenger Hunt for your class!
High School to College Transition Initiatives: A Repeat Performance
Denise Woetzel, Reference/Information Literacy Librarian at Reynolds Community College and Anita Tarbox, Librarian at Hermitage High School, collaborated again on the presentation, High School to College Transition Initiatives: Making it a Reality, which they co-presented at the Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL) Conference in Williamsburg, VA. During their session, Denise and Anita discussed the various collaborative initiatives they are working on to better prepare high school students for college level research. Denise attended some awesome sessions, networked with other high school librarians, and met a pig that loves libraries!
