South Mountain Community College offers general tours, and bibliographic instruction.

General Library Tour

A librarian conducts a walking tour of the library, explaining library policies along the way, identifying the locations of principal functional areas such as the circulation desk, the reference desk, locations of computers, and the different material collections. The librarian then explains how to find materials using the online catalog and the Library of Congress Classification System.

Bibliographic Instruction

A librarian explains library policies, and then demonstrates methods of searching the various computerized databases.  Emphasis is placed on the nature of the databases and the  importance of critically examining search results.  During the latter part of the instruction session the librarian assists the students with their assignments one-on-one or in small group instruction or the students complete a prepared library exercise.

The content and nature of library bibliographic instruction sessions may be tailored to the specific needs of the instructor and his/her students.  In such cases the sessions will focus on the specific subject resources identified with a course or assigned project.

Library instruction is an important component of our services because we value the ability for our community to access knowledge in all forms. We offer instruction to students and staff in developing their skills in research, evaluation and comprehension.  We actively encourage library users to become trained researchers in the complex and changing world of information.

Scheduling Tours and Instruction Sessions

To schedule the date and time for a tour or instruction session, call the reference desk at (602) 243-8194 or stop by the Library.  Discuss with the reference librarian the specific type of tour or instruction session that will best accomplish the class objective.