Instructional Support Overview: Home

Mission Statement

The mission of the Modesto Junior College Library Instruction Program is to increase information competency within the MJC community. Information competency incorporates the ability to effectively identify information needs, and gather, evaluate and use information. By aiding in the development of these abilities, the Instruction Program furthers student success, prepares students to transfer to four-year universities and/or enter the workforce, and helps provide the foundation for life-long learning.

Goals

• Developing instructional methods that reflect a diverse community of learners and accommodate a variety of learning styles. Methods include point-of-use, individual, and group/classroom instruction, and electronic and print instructional aids.
• Familiarizing library users with information tools and resources in their various forms, and teaching research skills necessary to effectively apply these tools and resources.
• Collaborating with MJC faculty and staff in order to support students' information needs within the context of the academic programs and curriculum on MJC campuses.
• Increasing the recognition and usage of all library programs and services.
• Continuing to assess both instructional methods and content in order to meet the changing needs of all library users.

What to Expect in Your Instruction Session:

Library faculty work closely with you to develop specific and meaningful instruction sessions, tailored to enhance any curriculum. These sessions can include (but are in no way limited to):

• General introduction to library services and resources
• Refining topics and developing research statements
• Library resources in specific subject areas
• Expert searching on electronic databases
• Introduction to WWW searching and evaluation
• Citing sources in particular formats (MLA, APA, etc.)

Instruction Session Guidelines:

To create the most meaningful learning experience for your class, we recommend the following guidelines:

• Arrange the instructional session as early as possible and include it in your syllabus.
• Sessions are more effective after students have been assigned a research project; otherwise, the librarian is answering questions that have not yet been asked.
• Please provide us with a copy of your syllabus and/or research assignment when you submit the scheduling form. This allows us to tailor the session to your unique curriculum.
• Please provide us with a copy of your syllabus and/or research assignment prior to the class visit. This helps us tailor the session to your unique curriculum. It also aids librarians in developing an effective library collection.
• Please plan on attending the instruction session, or at least being present in the library.
• When scheduling a research instruction session, please have several potential dates available. This flexibility is especially important when requesting morning or evening class times.
• Please allow a minimum notice of one week when requesting a library visit

Even though we know that most students benefit from having even a brief introduction to core library resources, we understand that your class time cannot always accommodate this instructional opportunity. Therefore, if you  find it necessary or appropriate to bring students to the MJC Library but do not intend to schedule structured research sessions, this time needs to be scheduled in advance in order to avoid conflicts with other classes, insure availability of computer workstations, and allow the Library to schedule sufficient Reference Desk staff to assist students in the course of their research. Advance notice also helps us better advise Instructors on resource availability, and, if needed, allows us to pull relevant materials for more convenient access.

To schedule class time in the library you will need to contact Kathleen Ennis either by phone at 209-575-6409 or by email.

Face-to-Face Classes:

Contact Kathleen Ennis via email or phone (575-6409).

Online Classes:

Contact Iris Carroll via email or phone (575-6082).

• We can add an Embedded Librarian to your online class so that we can work directly with your off-campus students. 
• I can work with you to embed research guides and resources directly into your online or hybrid class. Simply review our list of Research Guides and choose one that will work for you.
• Don't see a guide you like in our list? I can create a research guide specifically for your class.
• I can work with you to create or embed YouTube videos from the MJC Library's YouTube channel (modestojclibrary) into your class.