Peggy Austin

Location:  You will usually find me at the library reference desk, just to the right of the 3rd floor entrance in the Library/Administration building.  My hours vary each semester but I’m usually on campus Monday through Thursday between 8am and 5pm.  You can always call for an appointment.

Voicemail:  (714) 484-7066

E-Mail:  paustin@cypresscollege.edu

Welcome to my corner of the Cypress College Library.  I invite you to visit our library homepage at http://old.cypresscollege.edu/~library or continue reading here for more information on our Introduction to Research class.

Bio:  Yes, I know.  You are imagining that I grew up with a love of books that naturally developed into a desire to be a librarian, but you're wrong!  I wasn't much of reader in those early days although I did spend quite a bit of time browsing the Sears catalog.  I guess I enjoyed thinking about being someone else (with lots of cute outfits).  The first book I really took an interest in was something on good manners I picked up in our elementary school library and read from cover to cover several times.  I learned that a well-mannered houseguest brings a gift to her hostess, and I insisted on bringing my friend Nancy's mother a box of candy when Nancy invited me to spend the night.  That well-mannered act didn't get me the praise I was hoping for.  Apparently nobody else had read the book; they just thought I was odd.  Still, I got a certain pleasure out of having a bit of knowledge that other people did not possess.  You can easily see that my motives for becoming a librarian might not have been entirely pure.  In my first years as a professional I rather enjoyed overpowering the unsuspecting student with tons of information in answer to a very simple request.  I'm glad to say that I have matured in that area.  I've learned that your answer might not be the same as my answer.  The best information is only the best if it meets your need and takes you in the direction you want to go (or need to go, as the case may be).  Fortunately the library, be it physical or "virtual," has something for everybody.  You just need a good librarian to help you get what you need and want.  I'm happy to say that I've grown out of that need to impress you.  I think that you can impress you!  Take our library research class or come in to the library for a visit.  I want to teach you to ask your questions and find your answers for yourself.  I know you can do it and I know you'll relish your power when you do.

My Qualifications:  B.A. Sociology, University of California, Davis

                            M.L.S. University of California, Los Angeles

I have a lifetime of experience finding stuff.  

LIB 100 C Introduction to Research

1 unit

This class is designed to introduce students to traditional and electronic library research tools and resources including the Internet.  Students learn how to develop research strategies that will enable them to locate, retrieve, analyze, evaluate, and cite appropriate resources on a given topic.  Each student will compile and prepare a written bibliography of relevant sources on a topic.

Instructional Objectives:  Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Consult with instructors or explore general reference sources in order to identify a research topic or other informational need.
• Use various classification schemes and systems in order to locate information resources in a variety of locations, including the college library.
• Identify key concepts and terms in order to describe an information need.
• Construct and implement a search strategy using appropriate vocabulary in order to retrieve information effectively and efficiently.
• Recognize the elements and syntax of a citation in order to determine the types of sources retrieved.
• Asses the quantity, quality and relevance of search results in order to determine whether a search strategy should be revised.
• Employ an appropriate documentation style in order to correctly cite sources.
• Synthesize source material in order to produce printed bibliographies and/or references for research papers.
• Demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes plagiarism in order to avoid representing work attributable to others as his or her own.