Lesson Overview

The Penn State Library system is one of the most powerful tools you have access to as a Penn State student. From accessing scholarly research to learning how to cite properly, the Library provides a wealth of information and services that you’ll grow to appreciate as you make your way through the ESP program. In this lesson, you will complete a series of assignments designed by the Penn State Librarians.

Additionally, we will discuss Academic Integrity. What does it mean, and why is it important?

What will we learn?

By the end of the Lesson, you should be able to:

• use the PSU library to research topics;
• get help with library resources;
• use Lionsearch, know how to evaluate information, and how to utilize in-text citations;
• describe what academic integrity is and why it is important.

What will be due?

Each topic area (LionSearch, Evaluating Information, and In-Text Citations) has specific assignments where you will submit “evidence” to the librarian to prove you have completed the module.

Refer to the Activities page for more information on the assessments for this lesson.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please post to the Canvas Discussion Forum in the Helpful Resources module called Have A Question? Ask it here! or e-mail the instructor (if the question is personal in nature).

Library Literacy

Penn State's Pattee & Paterno Libraries

Credit: Penn State Libraries

This lesson will include our embedded librarians. You may see an announcement from the librarian(s) at some point this week. The librarians work on campus at the Paterno Library, but may be dedicated to World Campus courses and helping online learners get the most out of the Penn State library system.

There are so many resources available to you as a Penn State student. The library system is robust and comes with services other than just providing research materials. This lesson is intended to help you better understand how to use our library and its services more effectively.

Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity is one of the four Penn State Principles [2]. As stated in Policy 49-20 [3]:

Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University’s Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.

Behaviors which violate the University’s Code of Conduct would be violations of Academic Integrity. Examples include plagiarism as well as copying on an exam, submitting the same assignment to multiple courses without permission and others. For more information, see the Penn State Office of Student Conduct [4].

Carefully read and review the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Academic Integrity Policy [5]; you are bound by it.

Research

You will be asked to do some minimal research in this course; however, you will engage in more in-depth research in your other, upper-level ESP courses. Knowing how to conduct research is a critical skill, espcially in this day and age when anyone can post anything on a website or publish in "journals".

When I went to College (and I'm sure many of you can remember the same), if we wanted information about a topic, we had to trudge to a physical library and work through the tedious process of finding the right type of information and then physically finding the source in the library! While you don't have to physically go to a library anymore, you do have the monumental task of sorting through information to find meaningful and reliable sources! Not only do you have more information at your fingertips than ever before, the amount of information available grows by the day. Therefore, finding the most appropriate information for your paper or project can be a challenge. You are encouraged to think critically about each piece of information you read and make an informed decision regarding whether or not to use the source in question. You cannot and should not only use Google to find everything you need. That's where the Libraries and Librarians come in. You're paying for access to the Penn State Libraries, so use it!!

Summary

Penn State's library [8] is more than just books. It is a great resource for you, providing unlimited access to tools and people that can help you do your best!

Research Help and Tools and Subject Experts!

Research Help and Tools and Subject Experts

Credit: Penn State Libraries © Penn State University is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 [9]

Ask a Librarian

Ask a Librarian

Credit: Penn State Libraries © Penn State University is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 [9]

And many other services!

Click for a text description of Penn States Libraries' list of services web page.

• Borrow and Renew: Check out Library materials and find out about borrowing periods, renewals and return policies.
• Course Reserves: Search for course reserves or place items on reserve for courses.
• Rooms and Spaces: Reserve a group study room and find Library study spaces.
• Technology and Equipment: Borrow laptops and other technology and equipment.
• Adaptive Technology and Services: Services to facilitate inclusive access for differing needs and disabilities.
• Interlibrary Loan: Borrow materials not owned by Penn State Library.
• Instruction Support: Request Library instruction and get help with classrooms, media, and Course Reserves.
• Search Bar Services: Work toward academic success by meeting with peer tutor experts in research, writing, and technology.
• Alumni Library: As an Alumni Association member, you have access to online resources not available to the public.
• Virtual Reality Services: Virtual reality equipment and applications for student, faculty, and staff use and University Park.

Credit: Penn State Libraries © Penn State University is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 [9]