Course Syllabus

Fall 2025 Syllabus 

Library 103: Introduction to Library Technology   

Important Dates

Course Begins: Oct. 20, 2025

Course Ends: Dec. 19, 2025

Add Dates: Oct. 24, 2025

Drop Dates: Oct. 28, 2025

Last day to withdraw from the course and receive a “W:” Nov. 21, 2025

Holidays/College Closed Dates: Nov. 11, 2025, Nov. 24-30

Welcome! This syllabus is a road map of our course with  some guidelines for success. We are so glad you are in our class! Instructors Contact Information:

o We will respond within 48 hours or less Monday through Friday.  

o Weekend emails will be answered the next Library business day. 

  • Office Phone: (909) 389-3378

 o We will respond within 48 hours Monday through Friday. (If no response, please e-mail)

  • Zoom: Open during Student Hours (formerly known as Office Hours). We will provide Zoom link in Canvas. 

Course Location  

This online course is taught in Canvas, with no live meeting times.

Course Description & Objectives

This course introduces the general trends and developments in technology applications for  library functions and services, including integrated library systems, data gathering, searching  library databases, Open Educational Resources (OER) and using technology to promote library  services, resources, and collections. Students will develop the skills to promote library services,  resources and collections with the use of appropriate technologies. Upon satisfactory  completion of the course, students will be able to: 


• Recognize the Role of Technology in Various Library Environments 
• Understand how public, academic, and special libraries use technology to support their  services, operations, and communities. 
• Apply Digital Literacy Skills Across Library Settings 
• Identify and retrieve information from online sources, such as library catalogs and  databases, and interpret this data to support library users effectively. 
• Utilize and Manage Integrated Library Systems (ILS) 
• Demonstrate proficiency in basic ILS functions, including cataloging, circulation, and  acquisitions, and understand how ILS supports library workflows in different  environments. 
• Explore and Evaluate Emerging Technologies in Libraries 
• Analyze the use of generative AI, chatbots, and other emerging technologies in library  services, and assess their impact on user experience and library operations. 
• Create Engaging Library Instructional Materials 
• Design digital tools like library escape rooms to engage users and promote  library collections, services, and resources, tailored to various library environments. 
• Promote Library Services through Digital Marketing 
• Develop marketing materials using Canva and other digital tools to highlight library  programs and services, with a focus on outreach to the community of library users.
 • Understand Resource Sharing and Collaboration Technologies 
• Explore technologies and processes related to interlibrary loan, document delivery, and  resource sharing, and manage these operations within public, academic, and special  libraries. 
• Engage in Hands-On Technology Projects
• Complete practical assignments and projects, such as marketing  campaigns, that demonstrate mastery of library technology tools and practices.
 • Prepare for Real-World Library Technology challenges and opportunities. 

These overall objectives encapsulate the broad goals of the course and provide a foundation for  students to develop critical skills in library technology and services. They aim to prepare  students for real-world challenges and opportunities within the library field. 

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to: 
• Recognize the responsibility of libraries for introducing relevant applications of technology,  including digital literacy, to the public.  
• Identify, retrieve and interpret data from online sources such as library catalogs and  databases.  
• Create marketing materials to promote collections, services and resources to the community  of library users.  

Prerequisites and Recommended Preparation 

There are no prerequisites for this class or any of the classes in the Library Support Staff  Certificate Program.  
The recommended preparation is to familiarize yourself with online learning and Canvas if this is  your first class with both. 

Required Textbooks 

This is a Zero-Textbook Cost (ZTC) class and the entire program is ZTC! What this means is  your textbooks are online, and FREE! You can access them below. 

You can also find this ZTC in Canvas. 

Although not required, if you prefer to have a print copy on hand of “Digital Skills: Artificial  Intelligence,” a limited number of print copies of these textbooks will be available in the Library Reserves collection for various loan times from 2 hours to be used in the Library to 3 weeks where you can take the book home on a first come, first served basis. 

Assigned readings will be listed in the modules so you can link directly to the chapter and still access the rest of the Textbook. 

Student Hours (formerly known as Office Hours) and Response Time

Feeling lost or stuck? Student hours are times for conversation about the course and your work  in it. If you feel lost or stuck during the course, We are here (on campus and online) to answer your questions, offer you guidance and feedback and discuss course concepts. 

  • Online:  

o Thursdays from 8:30am-9am via Zoom.

Walk-in visits on campus during reference desk hours and drop-in visits in the Student Half-hour Zoom room online are welcome on a first come, first served basis. 

  •  Reference Desk Hours:

        o Ashley Montes: Mondays from 12:00pm-4:30pm

               Wednesdays from 4:00pm-8:00pm

                                              Thursdays from 12:30pm-8:00pm 

       o Karol McCool: Tuesdays from 12:00pm-4:30pm

Class Work/Weekly Schedule

Every module will be opened weekly on Monday (possibly as early as Friday or during the  weekend), allowing you to work ahead. Please pace yourself. There is no set time to be online,  but remember the due dates of readings, assignments and projects. 

You should expect to spend between 3-5 hours per week working through the content of each module. If you find you are spending more than 5 hours per week, please reach out to one of us so we can come up with a more efficient plan for you to use your time.

For most weeks, this will be your workflow:
1. Read any announcements opening the new week.
2. Begin working on the weeks’ worth of modules. Two weeks’ worth of modules will be opened up, allowing you to work ahead if you need to.
3. Use the “Next” button at the bottom of each page to progress through the module. Work through the content, activities, and assignments for the week, being mindful of the week’s deadlines.
4. Contribute your initial post to the week’s discussion by Wednesday. Peer replies are due by Friday.
5. If applicable, work on your assignment or other special project throughout the week, completing it by the published due date.  After the first couple of weeks, you will fall into the rhythm of Monday-Friday workflow. This should make it easier to schedule your time and reduce the chance that a deadline will sneak past you. Reminder: some deadline flexibility has already been built into this course.

Weekly Schedule
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Weekends
 Next module opens
 Readings, posts and assignment work		  Readings, posts and assignment work
 Student Hours online and in-person		  Post to discussion board due Weekly assignment due Sunday. Replies to your peers discussion boards due.
Make up missed work accepted

Work on missed work

Turn in any assignments from the week.

Attendance and Participation

Regular attendance and class participation is as vital in an online class as it is in a campus classroom. Your presence will be counted not by taking roll but by your regular contributions to  discussions and activities. Attendance in an online course is determined by participation in academically related activities.  You will be considered present if there is evidence of your participation in required class activities including, but not limited to: 

  • Logging into Canvas weekly to work through the modules 
  • Submitting an assignment 
  • Taking the syllabus quiz 
  • Participating in the Discussion boards and responding to your peers 

You will be considered absent if there is no evidence of your participation in the academic  activities of this class. You may also hear from us so we can come up with a plan for your success in the course. 

Students who do not complete the first week and a half’s worth of online assignments or  are absent for two weeks or more of this 8-week course may be dropped. 

Attendance/Participation/Withdrawal Policy

California Educational Code 55002

Class attendance is not a measure of performance or proficiency. Whether a student is just physically present in the class is not a valid basis for grading. Reference Title 5 Section 55002 of the California Code of Regulations: (A) Grading Policy. The course provides for measurement of student performance in terms of stated course objectives and culminates in a formal, permanently recorded grade based upon uniform standards in accordance with section 55758 of this Division. The grade is based on demonstrated proficiency in the subject matter and the ability to demonstrate that proficiency, at least in part, by means of written expression that may include essays, or, in courses where the curriculum committee deems them to be appropriate, by problem solving exercises or skills demonstrations by students.

“A student may drop or withdraw (or be dropped by an instructor), before the 44% point of the completion of the class. Students may not drop or be dropped after this point, and instructors must issue a grade beyond this point. A student who drops a class (or who is dropped by an instructor) on or prior to 20% of the course will have no record of that class on their permanent transcript, although they may still be responsible for payment of fees. Drops that occur after 20% of the course, and on or before 44% of a course, will result in a W symbol being entered. Students may be dropped for lack of attendance or for ‘good cause’ as defined in the Education Code, Article 3, Sect. 76033.”

What does this mean?

Students are not graded on attendance in this online class. However, if students fail to complete the first assignment or do not contact the instructor by the end of the first week of the 8-week term, they will be dropped. Students who do not actively participate in this online course will be dropped up to the final drop date.

Definition of Distance Education ‘No Show’ Students

DE Students will be dropped as ‘no shows’ if their online activity before the census date consists of solely logging into the online course platform without actively engaging in academic related activity.

Definition of ‘Last Day of Attendance’ (LDA) for Excessive Absences of Online Students

Faculty policy regarding dropping students for excessive absences in an online course should be based on the last recorded academic activity of the student after (such as one full week of non-engagement by the student). Per an individual instructor’s syllabus and course materials, students should be informed of the instructor’s guidelines on withdrawal from an online course and the necessity of actively engaging in academic activity. Students should be informed that ‘active engagement’ is not simply accessing the online course platform, but entails evidence of participation in online assignments as well as regular and substantive interaction between students and faculty.

Definition of Academic Engagement

Faculty should document regular and substantive interaction which demonstrates students’ active engagement in the online course. ‘Active engagement’ includes participation in electronic conversations, discussions, completed assignments or any other assessment designated by the individual instructor.

Instructor Communication: Regular & Substantive Interaction 

We are looking forward to working with you this semester, and you can expect us to play an active role in our class.  

We will post announcements every week, join you in the class discussion boards to help you understand course concepts, and provide detailed feedback on your assignments. 

We will also answer questions throughout the semester in the Q&A Discussion and in our weekly discussions, usually within 48 hours M-F.  

Please let us know when you need help—that’s why we’re here (on campus and online!) 

Instructor’s Policy on Grading Assignments/Posting Grades

Projects: The project's grades will be posted within a week following when the project was submitted.

Discussions: Discussion grades/feedback will be posted 3-5 days after each discussion has ended. 

Assignments: Assignments will be graded within 3-5 days after the instructor receives them.

Your Privacy

Federal law (FERPA) protects your performance in this class. I do not divulge your grades to anyone except the administration at the end of the  session. Parents and others, unless you have given them permission (which will be confirmed with administration) cannot be advised of your performance in this course. Students cannot take home assessments for classmates who are not present, or go through exams, assessments, or coursework where the grades and names of students are present. 

Statement of Access

Students with special needs are encouraged to meet with instructors to discuss the opportunity for academic accommodation and referral to Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) and services per Administrative Procedure (AP 3440)

Policy on Plagiarism

All students in this course are expected to complete their own work. Students who cheat or plagiarize will earn ‘0’ on that assignment. Cheating or plagiarism includes using materials from Chatgpt/Quillbot or other AI technology that is writing your assignments for you. The instructor also reserves the right to inform administration if cheating, plagiarism, etc. is committed by the student. Please refer to the Crafton Hills College Student Handbook for more information in regards to plagiarism.

Authority of the Instructor

According to Education Code Section 76032, faculty members have the authority to manage their classes and classrooms and to maintain an acceptable level of conduct within each class. Faculty may suspend students from class for up to two consecutive class meetings for misconduct which disrupts the class. Students suspended from class may not return to class during the time they are suspended unless permission to return is granted by the instructor. Instructors must complete an incident report on all suspensions and transmit the form to the appropriate administrator.

Resources

CHC Tutoring Center:

Located in LRC 137, bottom floor of library building

Tutoring Center Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 8am to 7pm

Friday: 8am to Noon

Sunday: 10am to 2pm (online only)

CHC Library:

LRC Building 2nd floor

The Crafton Hills College Library supports your research needs through a variety of library services and resources.

Off-Campus Access to Library Databases
The Library has transitioned to single-sign on for off-campus access to library databases. To access these resources, use your district login and password. Remember to use the district extension with your username:

Students (fill in blank with your info):   _________@student.sbccd.edu

Research assistance: is available in-person during library hours, via email CLRdesk@craftonhills.edu, phone: 909.389.3378, and online via chat 24/7. 

STARFISH: Your Connection to Success

Starfish provides you with a central location to connect to the people and services that can help you finish what you start – all accessible right from your Starfish Home page. Log in to your Starfish Home page by going to https://sbccd.starfishsolutions.com/starfish-opsLinks to an external site.

Your Home page includes access to a customizable profile and personalized channels that make it easy to connect with your instructors, advisors or counselors to schedule the dedicated time you need.

Starfish can also help you manage the steps you need to take to stay on track and meet your goals through your Student Educational Plan.

Get started by updating your profile on Starfish. You can use the URL above or the “Logins” button at the top of the Crafton Hills College homepage and enter your campus username and password.

Questions? Contact our Student Success office.

Telephone: (909) 389-3366 Email: studentsuccess@craftonhills.edu

Location Building 6, CCR-201 (Counseling)

Crafton Hills College Counseling:Links to an external site.

Counseling and advising services assist current and prospective students in establishing their educational goals and identifying support services to help meet those goals. Whether the goal is to take one course, earn a certificate or degree, or transfer to a four-year college or university, counselors are available to assist in the following areas:

Educational Counseling

  • Individual educational planning
  • Selection of a major
  • Transfer information using current articulation agreements with a number of colleges and universities
  • Transfer certification
  • Degree and certificate evaluation
  • Time management strategies
  • Referral to academic support services
  • Support about state residency or citizenship issues

Career Counseling

  • Assessment of interests, values and skills
  • Exploration of career goals based on personal assessment
  • Development of career plans

Personal Counseling

  • Self-awareness
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Counseling for educational related personal issues
  • Referral to on-campus and off campus resources
  • Decision-making strategies

Twitter: @CHC_Counseling

Students can find an available front desk employee by scrolling down and finding a person with a green button next to their name and click the “Knock on Door” button next to their name.

  • The web link above will take students to a login portal for Cranium Café, the software that Student Services uses to meet with students.
  • The student should use their WebAdvisor login credentials to log in.
  • They can then text chat with the staff member, and the front line Counseling staff will help them make an appointment with the appropriate person.
  • Once an appointment is made, a confirmation email will be sent to the student’s district email account with appointment instructions.

Students can contact Counseling via the Cranium appointment system, phone, or email.

Financial Aid:Links to an external site.

Students can manage much of the financial aid process on their own through the Self-Service link found in WebAdvisor. This system allows students to submit documents, identify what documents they have submitted already and which are still required, and see their financial aid award(s).

Students can click on any “Schedule Meeting” button on the page. This will take them to a login portal to Cranium Café, the software that Student Services uses to meet with students.

  • The student should use their WebAdvisor login credentials to log in.
  • Once logged in, the student can make an appointment with a staff member.
  • A confirmation email will be sent to the student’s district email account with appointment instructions.

CHC Student Accessibility Services: Links to an external site.

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) provides support services, specialized equipment and educational accommodation to students with disabilities so they can participate fully in the college experience. To qualify for support services, you must be enrolled at Crafton, have verifiable disability that limits your ability to participate in the general offerings of the college without additional services and the ability to benefit from instruction. Support services may include:

  • Disability related counseling.
  • Learning disability testing class.
  • Test proctoring.
  • Priority registration.
  • Texts in alternate formats (e.g. etext, braille).
  • On-campus transportation and mobility assistance.
  • Specialized equipment.
  • Sign language interpreters and closed captioning.
  • Note takers. Assistive technology (e.g. screen readers).

Telephone: (909) 389-3325 or TTY (909) 794-4105 Email: chc_sas@craftonhills.edu

Location: Building 6, CCR-101

Late Work 

Assignments for this course should be completed on time so that we are all moving through the class together.  

Sometimes, the unexpected happens. In unexpected situations leading to late work, please contact one of us ahead of time so we can offer an extension. We’ll be in touch with you to make sure you don’t miss out on too many points and that we can come up with a success plan together because we care, we’re here for you and we want you to succeed! 

On the same note, you will be responsible for learning the material, doing the work and making  an effort to get your work in on time. 

Discussions will remain unlocked and late posts are welcomed for partial credit, with a 5-point deduction after 3 days, and then significant point loss if more than that. The best way to plan for the unexpected is to get an early start on  each assignment, discussion board post and reply.  

Extra Credit 

There are opportunities for extra credit. You can attend an additional Library Workshop --on a different subject matter, for an additional 50 points. (There is one workshop offered as an assignment for 70 points. A 2nd workshop may be attended, as long as the title is different, for extra credit. )

Class Code of Conduct/”Netiquette”

This is a college course, comparable in scope and expectation to the same content you would find on the university level (this is why this course transfers). The instructor expects students enrolled in this online course to behave in a mature, professional
manner in the classroom. By enrolling in this course, students have implicitly agreed to respect their peers and instructor in the online “classroom” during class discussions, lectures, and all in-class assignments. As outlined in this syllabus, students recognize
that they are expected to participate in the activities and assignments prepared by the instructor to assist them in completing this course successfully.

Disruptive behavior includes the following:
• Online spamming, disrespectful behavior in discussion boards or on e-mail.
• Demeaning or destructive peer comments on discussion boards or e-mail regarding posts or other work in class.
• Any communication or action the instructor determines is harmful to the 'classroom’ environment

Points and Assignment Breakdown:

Discussion Board Posts:

  • Week 1 Icebreaker Discussion 30 pts
  • Week 2 Discussion Board Vendors and Information Retrieval 30 pts
  • Week 3 Discussion Board Reflection of Understanding a Peer-Reviewed Article Using ChatGPT 30 pts
  • Week 4 Discussion Board Exploring A.I. 30 pts
  • Week 5 Discussion Board Creating Online Learning Materials 30 pts
  • Week 6 Discussion Board Digital Library Marketing 30 pts
  • Week 7 Discussion Board Search, Find and Share What You Found! 30 pts
  • Week 8 Discussion Board Data in Libraries 30 pts

Projects:

  • Create your own Library Catalog Collection 125 pts
  • Library Escape Room 125 pts

Quizzes:

  • Syllabus Quiz 10 pts
  • Library Quiz 10 pts
  • Finding and Evaluating your Search Results 10 pts

Assignments:

  • Online Library Workshop 70 pts
  • Library Support Roles mini-assignment  20 pts
  • Vendor Exploration mini-assignment  40 pts
  • Library Catalog Exploration assignment  60 pts
  • Exploring the AI Technology Petting Zoo  75 pts
  • Library Online Escape Room  70 pts
  • Digital Marketing Library Advertisement assignment  70 pts
  • Create a Digital Zine Library Toolkit  75 pts

Total: 1000 Pts

Course Schedule

Course Schedule

Modules

Readings

Assignments 

Due Dates

Module 1: Welcome to Library 103: Introduction to Library Technologies

Ch.1: Best Technologies for Public Libraries: Policies, Programs and Services

ChristopherDeCr_2020_One3DPrinting_BestTechnologiesforPu.pdf

Lecture Materials

Week 1 Icebreaker Discussion

Syllabus Quiz

Library Support Roles Mini-assignment

Sign-up for a workshop

 

 

 

 

Due Dates: Syllabus Quiz Oct. 22

Discussion Board Initial Post Oct. 22, Reply Oct. 24

Mini Assignment Oct. 26

Last day to turn in proof of workshop Dec. 17

Module 2: Library Vendors and Information Retrieval

Lecture Materials

Week 2 Discussion Board Vendors

Vendors Mini Assignment

 

 

 

 

Due Dates: Discussion Board initial post Oct. 29, Reply Oct. 31

Min Assignment Nov. 2

 

Module 3: Integrated Library Systems

Lecture Materials

Article: User Experience with a new public interface for an Integrated Library System.pdf

Week 3 Discussion Board Peer Review ChatGPT Reflection

Catalog Exploration Assignment

Catalog Collection Project (More details in module)

 

 

Due Dates: Discussion Board first post Nov. 5, reply post Nov. 7

Catalog Exploration Assignment Nov. 9

Catalog Collection Project Due Nov. 23

 

Module 4: Generative A.I. 

Chapters: "Types of AI" and "Using AI to Plan and Prepare," from the Digital Skills: Artificial Intelligence textbook

Lecture Materials

 

Week 4 Discussion Board Exploring A.I.

Exploring A.I. Technology Petting Zoo Assignment

Library Quiz

 

 

Due Dates: Discussion Board first post Nov. 12, reply Nov. 14

Petting Zoo Assignment Nov. 16

Library Quiz Nov. 16

Module 5: Online Learning Materials

Lecture Materials

Week 5 Discussion Board Creating Online Learning Materials

Library Online Escape Room Assignment 

Library Escape Room Project (More details in module)

 

 

Due Dates: Discussion Board first post due Nov. 19, reply Nov. 21

Library Escape Room Assignment Nov. 23

Library Escape Room Project Dec. 19

Library Catalog Project Nov. 23

Module 6: Digital Marketing of Library Services and Resources

Chapters 2, 5, 6, and 7 from Marketing and Outreach for the Academic Library: New Approaches and Initiatives


 

Lecture Materials

Week 6 Discussion Board Digital Library Marketing

Digital Marketing Library Assignment

Finding and Evaluating Your Search Results Quiz

 

 

 

Due Dates: Discussion Board first post Dec.3, reply Dec. 5

Digital Marketing Assignment Dec. 7

Quiz Dec. 7

Module 7: Open Educational Resources (OER) and Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC)

Articles:  Toolkits Free Resources that are Easy to Use.pdf

Lecture Materials

Week 7 Discussion Board Search, Find and Share What You Found!

Create a Digital Zine Toolkit Assignment

 

 

 

Due Dates: Discussion Board first post Dec. 10, reply Dec. 12

Digital Zine Dec. 14

Module 8: Resource Sharing and Data Management

Lecture Materials

Article: 

MargaretE.Hende_2017_Chapter1.WhatIsDataan_DataManagementAPracti-1.pdf

Week 8 Discussion Board Data in Libraries

 

 

Due Dates: Discussion Board first post Dec. 17, reply Dec. 19

Library Escape Room Project Due Dec. 19

Last day to turn in Library Workshop Certificate Dec. 17