Unlocking Academic Success: A Guide to Saddleback College Library Resources

Saddleback College Library offers a wealth of resources designed to support student success. From in-person tutoring and quiet study spaces to extensive online databases and interlibrary loan programs, the library is a central hub for academic exploration and achievement. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the resources available to Saddleback College students.

Tutoring Services: Your Path to Academic Excellence

Saddleback College provides various tutoring options to assist students in their academic pursuits. Whether you prefer in-person interaction or the convenience of online sessions, the library supports your learning journey.

In-Person Tutoring

Saddleback tutors are available in person on the second floor of the LRC. To access in-person tutoring, students can follow a few simple steps through Canvas:

Sign in to your Canvas account.
Click on TU 300.
Click "Online Tutoring" or "Afterhours Tutoring."

It's important to note that there may be a delay of up to 24 hours for the course to appear on the dashboard after enrollment. Video tutoring sessions are recorded for quality and training purposes.

Online Tutoring via NetTutor

For students seeking online assistance, Saddleback College partners with NetTutor, offering a wide range of subjects. NetTutor provides a convenient way to connect with tutors remotely.

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Key Policies and Guidelines

Tutoring Time: Special population students may be granted additional tutoring time, depending on tutor availability and the number of students in the queue.
Session Extensions: Extensions of tutoring sessions are permitted only when no other students are waiting. The tutor's professional discretion is the final decision to extend sessions beyond the set 30-60 minutes.

The Impact of Tutoring: Success by the Numbers

Data indicates a strong correlation between tutoring and academic success. Recent findings reveal that students who completed 6 or more hours of tutoring during a semester experienced higher success rates, retention, and persistence. Moreover, students who began a semester on academic probation (below a 2.0 GPA) and completed at least 6 hours of tutoring were more likely to end the semester with a GPA above 2.0. These metrics are based on students with at least 6 positive attendance hours and educational goals such as obtaining an AA/AS degree and transferring to a four-year institution, transferring to a four-year institution without an AA/AS, or being a four-year college student taking courses to meet four-year requirements.

Study Environment: Spaces for Focused Learning

The Saddleback College Library recognizes the importance of providing conducive study environments. Students have access to computer stations and quiet study spaces on the second and third floors of the LRC & Library building. No reservations are needed, offering flexibility and convenience for students to study whenever they need. The availability of Wi-Fi ensures seamless connectivity for research and coursework.

Navigating the Library's Digital Resources

Saddleback College Library provides access to a wide array of online databases to support research across various disciplines.

ProQuest Research Library: A Starting Point

When beginning research, the library recommends starting with ProQuest Research Library. It covers a wide range of topics and is user-friendly. To effectively use this database:

Start with basic terms for a broad topic, such as "Climate Change."
Add additional terms as needed to narrow the search.
Ensure the "FULL TEXT" box is checked to access complete articles.
Consider adding limiters such as "Peer Reviewed" for academic articles or a date range for publication.
If necessary, limit the language to English.
Review the titles of articles to determine their relevance.
Save any potentially useful articles for future reference.

ProQuest offers a mix of academic, magazine, and newspaper articles, providing a diverse range of sources.

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Exploring Other Databases

While ProQuest is an excellent starting point, students are encouraged to explore other databases to broaden their research. The library's homepage provides access to a variety of specialized databases tailored to specific disciplines.

Streamlining Library Operations for Enhanced Services

Recent improvements in library operations have allowed Saddleback College Library to enhance its services without increasing staff or cutting user services. By streamlining workflows with WorldShare Management Services, the library has been able to free up staff time for new initiatives.

WorldCat Knowledge Base

The library now manages its e-book collections through the WorldCat® knowledge base, which automatically updates changing metadata. This eliminates the need for manual management of MARC records, saving a significant amount of time.

Improved Catalog System

The library's public catalog has become more intuitive, making it easier for students to find and access resources. The improved catalog system enhances the overall research experience.

Proactive Collection Management

With the time saved through streamlined workflows, the library staff has been able to proactively improve the collection. This includes conducting a full systematic inventory of the entire collection, a first in the library's more than 40-year history. Additionally, staff members are able to identify and repair damaged items, ensuring the collection remains in good condition.

Commitment to Inclusivity and Accessibility

Saddleback College is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. The college prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or pregnancy in the administration of its educational policies, personnel practices, and college programs.

Disability Accommodations

Consistent with its commitment to inclusivity, Saddleback College provides disability accommodations as needed for program access, upon request. Students requiring accommodations are encouraged to contact the appropriate office for assistance.

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