This Checklist is adapted for our college from work by a team of California State University and California community college librarians. The Checklist is intended
to be a succinct list of essential competencies.
Pre-college Students
Basic
Information Resources and Search Strategies.
Ability to:
- use signage, maps, and user guides to locate library
collections and services
- use the library’s classification system to browse by
subject and to locate an item by call number
- develop a focused topic and strategies for obtaining needed
information
- gather background information in books and encyclopedic
works
- search by author, title, and keyword in library online
catalog and locate relevant items
identify relevant
keywords and database terms for searching a topic
- conduct a search in an interdisciplinary database (e.g., eLibrary) using the search options
- identify relevant subject databases, e.g., CultureGrams and execute a basic search
- using database features to mark/save/print/email citations and link to fulltext
- interpret catalog and database search results
- evaluate information gathered by such criteria as: relevance, authority, currency, peer review process
- revise topic and/or strategy if search results are unsatisfactory
- summarize, organize, and synthesize information found
- cite sources properly according to appropriate style guide
- observe copyright guidelines; legally obtain, store, and use text and data
- recognize the need for information for any purpose (academic, work, personal)
College Students
Disciplinary Resources and Critical Evaluation
Ability to:
- link from subject headings to find additional resources
- match search tool to information need: academic library databases, search enginesidentify and determine local availability of cited items and use interlibrary loan services as needed
- identify and use specialized reference sources in the major field, e.g., subject dictionaries
- use special features of databases, e.g., finding academic journal articles within ProQuest or Academic Search Premier
- use appropriate subject-based style manuals and/or citation style formatting software
- identify and use unique resources in the major subject, e.g., case studies (business) and datasets (geography)
- use appropriate criteria to evaluate and select resources suitable for upper-division work, such as relevance, scope, authority, objectivity, and currency
- understand and differentiate between primary vs. secondary, popular vs. scholarly resource
- perform cited reference searches in order to follow a research topic forward and backward in time
- conduct a comprehensive literature review for papers/projects, including books, journal articles, dissertations, technical reports, non-print media, etc.
- use research collections beyond the local library when needed
- apply ethical and legal principles to the use of information in all formats and context
- apply acquired information and research skills in new situations and contexts
