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| SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT LIFE :: Library Instructional Services |
Book TourThe Bookhead sculpture in front of Shields Library might have a more relaxed expression if he'd taken advantage of the library's instructional services. "Shields library—one of four libraries on campus—can seem a bit daunting when you walk in," said Melissa Browne, librarian with Library Instructional Services. "It's big and you don't see any books initially." Browne continued, "A few days before the fall quarter begins, we provide tours to dorm residents during which we point out key service areas and give a quick overview of the library's Web site. It's a great start." The UC Davis student identification card also doubles as a library card, but it needs to be activated from the library Web site. Students need to activate the card only once. The on-campus libraries—Peter J. Shields, Physical Sciences and Engineering, Carlson Health Sciences, and Agricultural and Resource Economics Library—combined house 3.29 million volumes, and students have online access to 500 article databases and 40,000 journals. "In addition, through interlibrary loan," Browne said, "students can request books from any other UC campus." Browne adds that when living off campus, students need to log in to the Virtual Private Network (VPN) to use UC Davis' online journal and database subscriptions. A link to the VPN is on the University Library home page. How to access all that information quickly and effectively? Browne advises students to stop at the information desk on the first floor of Shields to ask quick questions. "Students who don't know where to begin their research for a paper," said Browne, "can consult one of the reference librarians, who specialize in specific subject areas." The biological and agricultural sciences reference department is stationed on the third floor, and on the second floor students will find the humanities, social sciences, and government information reference department. "The reference librarians are specialists and are very familiar with the collections," Browne said. "They're responsible for purchasing materials and many have an additional advanced degree in their subject area, such as a Ph.D. in history, cultural studies, etc." Throughout the academic year, Library Instruction Services also offers drop-in workshops. The most popular workshop teaches students how to use EndNote: free bibliography software that students can download through MyUCDavis. "The EndNote workshop shows students how to get material into an EndNote library from online databases," Browne said, "and then they can choose a citation style. It's very powerful." Browne adds that EndNote is particularly useful for upper division students and students working on honors theses. "For students writing shorter papers," Browne said, "many of the library's subscription databases have a feature that will generate a citation for you. It's a big timesaver." Browne said that students often aren't aware that study groups of 7-8 people and above can request workshops. Twice per quarter in fall and winter, Library Instructional Services offers the workshop "Giving Credit Where Credit is Due." Taught in partnership with the Learning Skills Center, the 75-minute workshop details why students plagiarize and how to avoid plagiarizing. The workshop also introduces students to the most frequently used citation styles. "We love to help students," Browne said. "They shouldn't hesitate to contact us for assistance." |