Information Skills Workshops (Semester A, 2009-2010)

The Library offers a variety of orientation programmes and workshops to our users in order to improve their research skills by helping them learn how to find, evaluate, and use information resources effectively.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend the following courses to develop an understanding of how to use library and information resources to support their research and academic endeavors.

N.B. Classes are subject to cancellation in the event of low enrollment.

Course Descriptions

Core Courses - for students

Finding Books and More: Using the Library Catalogue
(Duration: 1 hr. 30 min.)

Topics in this workshop include the use of different types of searches and search strategies and identifying, locating, and requesting library materials, including course reserves, dissertations, examination papers, DVDs, and more.

Introduction to Databases, E-Journals and E-Books
(Duration: 1 hr. 30 min.)

This workshop covers important concepts and skills in using electronic resources, including how to access e-resources, basic search strategies, and finding search guides and tutorials.

Finding Articles Using Library Databases for Humanities & Social Sciences Students
(Duration: 1 hr. 30 min.)

This workshop introduces students to various appropriate electronic resources, including subject-specific databases, for identifying and locating documents and articles relevant to the Humanities and Social Sciences. Students will be introduced to CSA Illumina (a collection of article databases) and given the opportunity to practice the skills covered during the workshop.

Finding Articles Using Library Databases for Science and Engineering Students
(Duration: 1 hr. 30 min.)

This workshop introduces students to various appropriate electronic resources, including subject-specific databases, for identifying and locating documents and articles relevant to Science and Engineering. Students will be introduced to Compendex (an article database) and given the opportunity to practice the skills covered during the workshop.

Finding Articles Using Library Databases for Business Students
(Duration: 1 hr. 30 min.)

This workshop introduces students to various appropriate electronic resources, including subject-specific databases, for identifying and locating documents and articles relevant to Business. Students will be introduced to Business Source Complete (an article database) and given the opportunity to practice the skills covered during the workshop.

Courses for Advanced Users - for students and staff

(Please note: Participants should have experience in searching Library databases and the Library Catalogue.)

Finding Dissertations and Theses
(Duration: 1 hr. 30 min.)

Participants will learn how to locate dissertations and theses that are relevant to their research topics using both Library and web resources. Participants will be introduced to ProQuest Dissertations and Theses and given the opportunity to practice the skills covered during the workshop.

Using RefWorks - Your Personal Web-based Database of References and Bibliography Creator
(Duration: 2 hrs. 30 min.)

Participants will learn how to centrally store references and citations; organize references into folders; insert in-text references and create a bibliography in your preferred citation style by using RefWorks, a web-based bibliographic management tool.