The Library Skills Exercise

All new students registered prior to Fall 2001 are required during their first year to demonstrate library proficiency by completing an online workbook prepared by the information services/reference librarians.  The text of the requirement is as follows:

• All new students entering St. Ambrose for the first time in the fall of 1985 or thereafter will be required to pass a library skills test before registering for the 31st credit hour.  Starting in Fall 2001, all new students are required to take the Information Literacy 101 class.

• Transfer students or adult learners who began their work at St. Ambrose in the fall of 1985 or thereafter and who are seeking a degree from St. Ambrose will be required to pass a library skills exercise upon completion of 12 semester credits. Beginning in 2003, all transfer students will be required to complete the Information Literacy 101 class.

• Transfer students with a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science are exempt from the library requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who must complete it and when?

First-year students prior to Fall 2001 are required to complete this before they register for their 31st hour of credit at St. Ambrose.  Starting in Fall 2001, all first-year students will be required to complete the Information Literacy 101 class.

Transfer students prior to Fall 2003 are required to complete this before they register for their 13th hour of credit at St. Ambrose.  Beginning in Fall 2003, all transfer students will be required to complete the Information Literacy 101 class.

What is it?

The requirement consists of an on-line research exercise which teaches research methods and strategies.  It was designed to demonstrate how to find and use library materials and machines. It takes most people 30-45 minutes to complete. Librarians are available most of the day to work together with you on the project to help you learn the things it is designed to teach.

Do I make an appointment?

You do not need to schedule an appointment to complete the on-line exercise.  It is designed so that you can complete it independently.  However, we recommend that you work while a librarian is on duty so that if you have any questions, we can help. Librarians are available during the following times

Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and 6:00-10:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00a.m. - Noon and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon--10:00 p.m.

Who is exempt from the library requirement?

• Those who already hold a bachelor's degree.
• Those who completed a specific course in library use at another college. (Exemption on these grounds must be approved by a librarian).
• Those who are not degree-seeking students.

Last modified

Aug. 6, 2007

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