What We Offer Faculty...
Library Instruction ~ Online Class Support ~ Program-Relavant Guides ~ Collection Development ~ Reserves ~ Professional Development & Research ~ Accreditation Support ~ Books ~ Cameras, Scanners, Computers... ~ FAQ
We have a wide range of materials and services to help you and your students.Please feel free to call or ask us for assistance.
What can we do to help you? We can
- customize an online library instruction session of materials, PowerPoints and/or streaming videos for your research assignments - we'll send you the materials and the video links! Contact any of our librarians!
- create a library research page that highlights the best library and research resources for your class and research assignments - we'll send you the link!
- give you links to subject specific databases
- provide a link to the prefect article(s) for your students to read! Your favorite articles may be in one of our library databases. We will check for you and send the article link for you to add to eCampus.
- help you create links to specific topic searches in the databases
- Add a link to Ask a Librarian to your online course - allowing students to get off-campus support, from 8am-11pm seven days a week (even when the library is closed)!
- If you wish, feel free to add us as a teaching assistant to your eCampus course. We can assist your students with research assignments.
Helpful Tools
- Video Introduction to the Library (for faculty)
- Library Catalog (print and ebooks)
- Online Databases (magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias...)
- Useful Websites for Educators
- Library Request Form: Suggest a Title for Purchase
- Library Request Form: Library Orientation
- Ask a Librarian via Email or Online Chat
- Free Videos on the Web
Helpful Tips for Your Students
- The Research Process
- How to Evaluation Web Sources
- Plagiarism
- How to Use NoodleTools to Create MLA, APA or Chicago Citations (Powerpoint) (Word)
- How To Create Notecards, Paraphrase & an Outline in NoodleTools
Video Tutorials Useful for Your Students and You
Our librarians can present detailed library orientations/information literacy classes tailored to the needs of specific classes or assignments. Instruction sessions can be scheduled for a particular day or over several days. The librarians will tailor exercises and worksheets to meet your needs.
Students are much more interested in library sessions when they have topics and deadlines assigned prior to their library visit and the visit occurs just before they are ready to start their assignment.
Instruction sessions are offered during the hours the Library is open and outside of regular hours by special arrangement.
Please schedule as far in advance as possible. Time slots do fill up quickly!
Class sessions may include:
- introduction to the library and its services (a virtual tour is standard but a walking tour is optional)
- introduction to web searching, search strategies, and evaluating search results
- introduction to the Library Catalog and online databases (learning how to locate book and periodicals)
- subject specific resources: books, online databases, and web sources
- subject specific web sources
Our librarians will work with you in integrating information literacy into your class!
Instruction helps students develop search strategies, evaluate information, and use information effectively.
To request a class orientation or instruction, call the Reference Desk (214.860.2174) or fill out our Online Orientation Request Form. It is best to talk directly to a Librarian so that details such as the amount of time required and expectations can be discussed and agreed upon.
The Library also provides a variety of print materials to assist students and faculty. These include:
- The Library: What's in it for Me?
- Selected Electronic Resources
- Using the Library Catalog
- netLibrary
- Scholarly Journal Articles vs. Popular Magazine Articles
- ar
- program related guides, such as for Nursing
Many of these are available online under TUTORIALS. Websites that provide directions and examples for creating a term paper with bibliographies are listed under MLA TIPS and EXAMPLES.
If you would like to bring your students to the Library during their class time, please check with the Library staff to make sure computers will be available. More than one class in the Library creates a very challenging learning experience for your students and others!
Recommended subject headings, reference books, databases, and websites are included in each Guide. Also included is a listing of periodicals relevant to the subject area.
Please let the Librarians know if you would like a customized Guide for your class!
We appreciate and want your recommendations for titles (books, periodicals or videos) we should purchase that support your program area. You can call (214.860-2174) or stop by the Library
Please let us know what instructional topics you will be covering over the semester. We will identify and purchase supplemental materials, identify relevant databases and/or websites that will assist you and your students.
It a title is not owned by a DCCCD Library, you can request a title via InterLibrary Loan. It may take 3-4 weeks to receive the title. The Library will let you know when the title has arrived.
You can ask at the Library Circulation Desk for a TEXSHARE card , which allows you to walk in the door and check out items from any Texas public college. You can return the items to us and we'll return to the owning Library for you!
Personal and library materials may be placed on reserve for two hours or three-day access.
Repeated use of copyrighted materials (beyond one semester) not owned by the College require that the instructor obtain permission from the copyright holder.
Many students have a difficult time purchasing textbooks at the beginning of the semester. The Library does not purchase textbooks but we encourage faculty to leave a copy of their textbook on Reserve in the Library for students to use.
There is a 24-hour turnaround time for placing materials on Reserve. NOTE: Please allow a 3-day turnaround time for the first week of class.
Additional information on Reserves is available, along with an Online Reserves Request Form.
Professional Development & Research
El Centro subscribes to the Chronicle of Higher Education and The Community College Journal.
The Library also has books related to:
- distance education
- teaching tips
- teaching techniques
Our librarians are available to assist you in database searching.
Education-related databases include:
- ERIC (abstracts)
- AskEric (abstracts and full-text)
- Professional Development Collection (abstracts and full-text)
The Guide to Education or Faculty Quick Links provide links to professional education-related websites.
Notify Linda Baker (by email at lindabaker@dcccd.edu or by phone at 214.860.2175) if you wish to receive the online daily news summaries from the Chronicle of Higher Education. The full-text of the Chronicle of Higher Education may be accessed in the Library.
The librarians can assist you in obtaining statistics and in reviewing the current collection for accreditation purposes.
Cameras, Scanners, Computers...
The Library has several digital cameras available for faculty/staff class preparation and official school use checkout.
The Mobile Electronic Classroom provides 16 wireless laptop computers to be checked out to your classroom.
The Library has one scanner available.
Web design and image editing can be done on any Library classroom computer, using Macromedia Studio (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash), Photoshop and Illustrator.
Reference/Information Desk: 214-860-2174 Circulation:
214-860-2175
West Campus: Reference/Information Desk: 972-391-1433 Circulation: 972-391-1427
BJP: (Room 2300) 214-860-5780
Comments or suggestions are welcome.
©2006 El Centro College Library
Dallas, TX
Last Updated:
September 21, 2009