Request a Library Orientation


Faculty members at American River College are encouraged to bring their classes to the library for an orientation. Natomas Center faculty can use this form to request an orientation at the Natomas Center. Library orientations introduce students to the library's online catalog and research databases, present effective internet search strategies, and cover how to evaluate information. Most orientations last 45 minutes to an hour. Orientations for classes which do not have a research assignment, but simply need to become familiar with the library and library services, would typically take a half hour. Orientations can be shortened, lengthened, and/or customized.

Students tend to be most receptive to library instruction when they have an upcoming assignment that requires library research. Therefore, we suggest that instructors schedule their library orientations to coincide with a research-based assignment. Keep in mind that if you do not have a research assignment, but would like to assign one, your librarian can offer ideas to help you develop an effective assignment. If a research assignment has not been planned, we can provide a worksheet for your students as a means to reinforce the topics discussed during the orientation.

Orientations must be scheduled at least one week in advance, although we suggest instructors make the request as early in the semester as possible in order to get their preferred date and time. Orientations are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
After submitting your request, you will receive an email confirming the date and time of your orientation. After the date and time is confirmed, please notify your class of the location - while in the Portable Village, orientations will take place in the Reference portable (605).

For immediate assistance, call the reference desk at 484-8458 during library hours.

* REQUIRED FIELDS
*(First & Last):
*:
*
*:
*
*
Example: Thurs., April 17, 11 am - 12 pm
*

*Content of Instruction

THE RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT

a. Instructor-generated assignment

The librarian will want a copy of the research assignment. Please describe the assignment below noting the assignment topic(s), expected length, sources required (for example, 2-3 books, 3-5 database articles, 2-3 websites, etc.) and anything else relevant to understanding the requirements of the assignment. Alternatively, you may forward a copy of the full assignment to the librarian.

-or-

b. Worksheet Assignment

If you have not planned a research assignment for your students, or if you would like your students to have an additional opportunity to practice the skills they will learn, the librarian can provide a worksheet assignment that will reinforce the material presented during the orientation. Half hour orientations can be provided for classes which do not have a research assignment, but instead simply need to become familiar with the library and library services.

Distribute a library worksheet to your class?



Location
For classes that meet on the main campus, orientations are held in the research lab on the lower level of the library. For classes that meet at the Natomas Center, a librarian will come to your classroom. Indicate below the location of your class.





Thank you for your request.


Please enter the following characters in the empty white box, matching upper and lower cases, and without whitespaces.