Has your opinion on the research process changed? Does it seem any easier? Examine how you have done research in the past, do you recognize areas that you will do different now? Write a few hints to yourself (and other classmates) about things you have learned or realized in this course that you could review before starting your next research project for a class in the future.
Yes, my opinion on the research process has changed, and it does seem easier now. I used to do most of my research on the internet, and did not look as much to printed sources and journals. My chosen topic for the research project deals with geodesic domes. I did not realize before that Google offered a book search and an image search. Since the geodesic dome is a recognizable object, I would like to include some references to images in my research report. In this class, I have gained new respect for the Library of Congress subject headings and printed ready reference sources such as the Statistical Abstract. While the Statistical Abstract may not have much to do with researching geodesic domes, the volume has a lot of good ready reference information. Additionally, the Library of Congress subject headings suggest additional areas to search on and to consider adding to the research process--like domes, arches, and architectural elements.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Blog Reflection 2
Spend some time reflecting on what you have read and participated in the past few weeks. Has your opinion changed about libraries?
Libraries are great places for discoveries. I am fairly familiar with libraries but did not realize that so many different things are available through various libraries. Some libraries even have Starbucks', like CSULB. The reference assignments introduced me to some books that I would probably not have reached for, like the statistical abstract.
Do you think that libraries are not needed now that we have almost constant access to information on the Internet?
We need libraries more than ever. Libraries should be a part of daily life. Not everything is available on the internet, and not everything on the internet provides credible or creditable information. One of our assignments showed how easy it would be to be seduced by a fake scientific website--until the aha! moment when one realizes that it's all a game. We need to be selective and discerning about information found on the internet. Anybody can post anything on the internet and make it look legitimate, at first glance. Caveat emptor.
What role does the Internet have in YOUR life?
The internet plays a big role in my life. I go to school via the internet, read the news on the internet, keep up with my e-mail on the internet, and even shop on the internet. Probably my two biggest uses of the internet are for taking online courses and reading The New York Times. I could live without the internet, but it makes school, mail and news that much more accessible.
Libraries are great places for discoveries. I am fairly familiar with libraries but did not realize that so many different things are available through various libraries. Some libraries even have Starbucks', like CSULB. The reference assignments introduced me to some books that I would probably not have reached for, like the statistical abstract.
Do you think that libraries are not needed now that we have almost constant access to information on the Internet?
We need libraries more than ever. Libraries should be a part of daily life. Not everything is available on the internet, and not everything on the internet provides credible or creditable information. One of our assignments showed how easy it would be to be seduced by a fake scientific website--until the aha! moment when one realizes that it's all a game. We need to be selective and discerning about information found on the internet. Anybody can post anything on the internet and make it look legitimate, at first glance. Caveat emptor.
What role does the Internet have in YOUR life?
The internet plays a big role in my life. I go to school via the internet, read the news on the internet, keep up with my e-mail on the internet, and even shop on the internet. Probably my two biggest uses of the internet are for taking online courses and reading The New York Times. I could live without the internet, but it makes school, mail and news that much more accessible.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Library Visit
I visited the library at California State University, Long Beach. The library collection supports every facet of the university's studies, from children's literature to the sciences. The library resources occupy a whole building, from basement to fifth story. Long Beach City College students with current semester student identification can check out books from the CSULB library. Alumni and the general public can also obtain a CSULB library card on payment of a fee.
- List three services that are available at the library.
--Starbuck's has come to the library. A branch of the ubiquitous Starbuck's Coffee chain offers lattes, coffee cake, and other delights on the first floor of the library. Coffee, food and beverages are allowed in the library.
--A computer commons occupies approximately one-fourth of the first floor. Although preference is given to CSULB students for computer use, LBCC students with current semester valid student identification can also sign up to use the Internet-equipped computers.
--Reference services are found on the first floor, to the right as one enters the library. The reference librarians are located only on the first floor. No reference service is available on the other floors of the library.
- Which classification system does the library use? What type of library is it?
The CSULB library utilizes the Library of Congress classification system. CSULB is a full service academic library.
- Describe the library's reference section. Provide information about the types of resources available. Note their electronic/online resources and discuss two of the most popular ones (ask a librarian for assistance if you cannot locate these).
The reference section occupies the part of the first floor behind the reference librarians' desk. The computer commons could also be considered a part of the reference section, as the computers provide access to the greater world of the internet. The Coast online catalog and a service for retrieving books on specific topics appear to be some of the most popular online services.
- What did you like best about the library? What did you like least about it?
On the upper floors of the library, there are large areas designated either for quiet individual study or for group study. I liked the idea that these study rooms were incorporated into the recent redesign of the library. However, I would have preferred to encounter reference librarians on the upper floors, not just at the reference desk on the first floors. There are computer catalog terminals on each floor, but the electronic amenities somehow do not make up for the human touch.
- Be sure to include the location of the library - address, phone number and website address.
Library, California State University at Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.,
Long Beach, CA 90840-1901
562-985-8472
http://www.csulb.edu/library/
- List three services that are available at the library.
--Starbuck's has come to the library. A branch of the ubiquitous Starbuck's Coffee chain offers lattes, coffee cake, and other delights on the first floor of the library. Coffee, food and beverages are allowed in the library.
--A computer commons occupies approximately one-fourth of the first floor. Although preference is given to CSULB students for computer use, LBCC students with current semester valid student identification can also sign up to use the Internet-equipped computers.
--Reference services are found on the first floor, to the right as one enters the library. The reference librarians are located only on the first floor. No reference service is available on the other floors of the library.
- Which classification system does the library use? What type of library is it?
The CSULB library utilizes the Library of Congress classification system. CSULB is a full service academic library.
- Describe the library's reference section. Provide information about the types of resources available. Note their electronic/online resources and discuss two of the most popular ones (ask a librarian for assistance if you cannot locate these).
The reference section occupies the part of the first floor behind the reference librarians' desk. The computer commons could also be considered a part of the reference section, as the computers provide access to the greater world of the internet. The Coast online catalog and a service for retrieving books on specific topics appear to be some of the most popular online services.
- What did you like best about the library? What did you like least about it?
On the upper floors of the library, there are large areas designated either for quiet individual study or for group study. I liked the idea that these study rooms were incorporated into the recent redesign of the library. However, I would have preferred to encounter reference librarians on the upper floors, not just at the reference desk on the first floors. There are computer catalog terminals on each floor, but the electronic amenities somehow do not make up for the human touch.
- Be sure to include the location of the library - address, phone number and website address.
Library, California State University at Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.,
Long Beach, CA 90840-1901
562-985-8472
http://www.csulb.edu/library/
Friday, June 19, 2009
This blog entry is posted as the first reflection assignment for the Library 3 class at Long Beach City College. I am not used to posting personal thoughts as in a diary, but blogs are the fashion of the day. So far, I am enjoying this online course. The brevity of the summer session means that we do more work per week than probably would have been the case in a regular fall or spring semester. I can appreciate the convenience of electronic books for use in an online course.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Hello world! I am creating this blog as a part of my coursework for Library 3 in the summer session here at Long Beach City College. The title of the blog, Plum Cottage Bears, refers to the name I use for my handmade teddy bears. I have made teddy bears for about twenty years. You're never too old for a teddy bear. Any age is always just the right age for a teddy bear. The teddy bears I create are made of the same fabric, mohair, that is used for the marvelous Steiff bears in Germany. My teddy bears have jointed head, arms and legs that move, and usually German glass eyes. These teddy bears are not for little children, but are probably suitable for anyone over ten years of age who needs a reliable source of hugs.
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