This class is asynchronous and completely online. There are no scheduled class meetings except for an optional online orientation on via Zoom TBA. I can answer any questions about the class or Canvas during that session. It is recommended that you attend the orientation if you have never taken an online class using Canvas. I will email a link to the orientation session a few days before the course starts.
Students will use the Canvas Learning Management System for viewing course pages and readings, assignment instructions, submitting assignments, viewing classmate's work, sharing resources, viewing grades, and contacting the instructor. The course will be visible on the first day of class, Monday, August 30.
Username: CCSF ID, examples: W12345678 or @12345678
Your Canvas password is your RAM ID password.
To claim your RAMID:
Go to the CCSF website
Click on MyCCSF link in top navigation bar
Click on "MyRAM Portal" link under Quick Links section
Click in “New User/Forgot Password” button. See “Need Help” Section at bottom for more information.
The process should take about 10 minutes. Users that have claimed their RAM ID in the past, but have not logged in through this portal will be prompted to create new security questions before moving forward.
Both books are available for purchase from the CCSF Bookstore and limited copies on reserve in the CCSF Library. Reserve copies will be available via contactless service from Rosenberg Library. See Library Contact-free pickup service for information on reserving and picking up reserves. The books can be checked out for 2 weeks.
Keeler, H.R. (2016). Foundations of library services: An introduction for support staff. Rowman & Littlefield. | ISBN: 9781442256415 | CCSF Library Reserves (print) & eBook version*.
Keeler, H.R. (2017). Working with library collections: An introduction for support staff. Rowman & Littlefield. | ISBN: 9781442274891 (Chapter 1 available via Google Books) | CCSF Library Reserves (print) & eBook version*.
*There are only 3 copies each of the eBooks. When you click on the eBooks link, you can view in pdf format or view in ePub format on your computer. When you close your session, it will release the book so that others can use it. If you plan to use the eBooks, please share and do not download the eBook. Ebsco will only allow you to download it for 1 day and it can only be viewed in PDF format or within Adobe Digital Editions, not a kindle reader. I suggest reading a copy on your laptop or mobile device in sessions. Another possibility is to save ebooks pages for printing and emailing.
Adobe Reader
Microsoft Word OR compatible word processing software (e.g. Google Docs)
Current version of supported browser
Day Class Begins: August 30, 2021
Day Class Ends: December 17, 2021
Last Day to Drop with refund: TBA
Last Day to Add with instructor's approval: TBA
Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol: TBA
Last Day to Opt for Pass/No Pass: TBA
Last Day to Drop with a 'W' symbol: TBA
Final Exam: There is no final exam for this course, but there is a final project
Final Project Due Date: December 15, 2021
If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it to avoid getting no refund (after 10% of course length), a W symbol (after 20%), or a grade (after 60%). Also, for several consecutive, unexplained absences, the instructor may drop a student. Students who have not engaged in academically related activities, such as taking a quiz, posting to a forum, or submitting an assignment, during the first week of class will be considered “no shows” and will be dropped from the class. Logging in and viewing the course, by itself, is NOT active engagement.
What happens if you drop your course(s) and Free City is paying your enrollment fees?
a. If you drop courses before the date to receive a full refund, you owe nothing. Refund deadlines are next to each course listing on the college website in the Class Schedule. This information can typically be found in the course syllabus, as well.
b. If you drop after the deadline to receive a full refund, then you are liable for all applicable fees, including enrollment fees/tuition for each course dropped, and the money will be returned to the Free City Program.
Though the class does not have scheduled meeting times, students are expected to log into the course several times per week to engage with weekly course content, discussions, activities and assignments. It also makes the experience more enjoyable and gratifying for all when everyone participates and gets to know one another.
Students may be dropped for lack of attendance and participation online (2 weeks of inactivity) at any time. Students should not assume that they will be dropped from the course if they stop participating in class. Dropping is ultimately the student’s responsibility. It is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one class/homework deadline in a row that you contact me to avoid being dropped from the class.
In order to move quickly and successfully through the course specific deadlines for all assignments are clearly stated in Canvas. A new module is released each week. Each module begins on Monday and ends on Sunday. Each assignment listed on the course homepage is due by Sunday of that week at 11:59pm, unless otherwise noted. Discussion forum posts occur in 2 parts. The initial post (part 1) is due on Friday of that week’s module, and response posts (part 2) are due on Sunday, the last day in each module.
Should a student be unable to meet a deadline, it is expected that the student will make arrangements in advance with the instructor to turn work in late. Communication is essential and appreciated. A penalty may or may not be assigned, at the discretion of the instructor.
This course is offered completely online with frequent instructor/student and student/student communication. All communication will take place in Canvas via the email Inbox, Pronto, discussion forums, Announcements, and Q&A forums. I post announcements on the “Announcements” page in Canvas 2-3 times per week, and will respond to all course email within 48 hours Monday-Friday, exclusive of school holidays. However, I typically respond sooner.
Canvas notifies students according to their preferred notification preferences when I send out an Announcement. It is advisable not to turn off the announcements notification in settings.
Grades and feedback for individual assignments typically occur in the week following due date(s). In graded discussion forums, I reply to some, not all posts. However, I typically provide individual feedback or comments for all graded forums. Feedback for all assignments can be found either in the assignment/discussion rubric or in the submission comments.
Be sure to check your CCSF student Gmail account regularly for important CCSF communications. If you need to, you can reset your @mail.ccsf.edu email password by contacting the ITS Help Desk 24/7 by phone or email.
This class will explore a variety of libraries, resources and services in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, so that students will get an understanding of what it is to work as a paraprofessional/library support staff in a 21st century library. Each week will consist of a new module or unit on various elements such as library organization, systems and career paths within libraries. Specific readings, activities, discussions and/or assignments for each module are listed in Canvas.
Course Orientation & History of Libraries
Library services today
Acquisitions, Collection Development & Classification
Cataloging & Subject Authorities
Special Collections and Non-Book Materials
Circulation Services & Resource Sharing
Reference Services, Reader's Advisory, and Reserves
Electronic Resources
Evaluation of Information
Ethical Use of Information
21st Century Library Customer Service | Library Programming & Public Relations
Customer Service to Youth and Older Adults
Customer Service to Patrons with Special needs & Patrons with Challenges
Intellectual Freedom & Censorship
Final project and wrap up discussion
Finals week (12/10-12/17)
Visit “Grades” located in the course navigation bar in Canvas to keep track of your grades. I grade once or twice a week and post grades and feedback in the online Canvas gradebook typically during the week after work is due. Grades will be assigned as follows:
If taking Pass/No Pass you need at least 70% of the total class points and to complete the final project to pass the class.
An “F” grade indicates that a student attended, participated and completed the course but failed to master the course curriculum.
An “FW” grade indicates the student stopped attending a course after the “last day to withdraw” deadline and subsequently did not submit any work or participate in any exams. Please check with your counselor and financial aid advisor for possible implications of the FW grade on residency and financial aid status.
You may take this class P/NP. You must decide before the deadline, and add the option online in MyRam Portal or file the P/NP form with Admissions and Records. With a grade of C or better, you will get P.
You must file for the P/NP option by TBA. Once you decide to go for P/NP, you cannot change back to a letter grade. If you are taking this course as part of a certificate program, you can probably still take the class P/NP. Check with a counselor to be sure.
Students who register in CCSF classes are required to abide by the CCSF Student Code of Conduct. Violation of the code is basis for referral to the Student Conduct Coordinator or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Student Conduct & Discipline Office.
Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment, and potentially lead to discipline by the college. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work. Plagiarism and how to avoid it (e.g. correct source citation) will be covered in this course.
If you need classroom or testing accommodations because of a disability, or have emergency medical information to share with me, or need special arrangements in case the building needs to be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. My office hours are by appointment, or drop-in based on my listed schedule. Students seeking disability related accommodations are encouraged to also register with Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) located in Room 323 of the Rosenberg Library (415) 452-5481.
Instructor reserves the right to modify this document at any time as needed.