Since 2011, four chemistry information literacy training sessions have been integrated into Chem 349, an Organic Chemistry lab course at Central Michigan University. This is a core course for students majored in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biomedical Sciences and Biology with certain concentrations. Moreover, the language of library information literacy training (database and literature search) was officially implemented into the master course syllabus for Chem 349 while being revised in 2013.<br/>Through the four sessions, students get trainings on different searching techniques and how to perform searches in databases of SciFinder, Reaxys, and Web of Science. Over the years, in order to keep students engaged, many strategies have been adopted into these sessions. To ensure all students had opportunities to search along and practice with science librarian’s direction, all training sessions were delivered in library computer equipped classrooms. Chemical compounds with interesting applications in chemical industries or medical fields were used as demonstration examples. In addition, all students had to finish four assignments associated with class contents, which counts for 10% course grades. To simulate real search experience, each student was also assigned a unique chemical compound to search with for the series of four assignments. Besides, reference citations were integrated into these trainings as delivery tools, and students were introduced to citations in the context of scholarly research articles: how to identify, interpret, and locate full text. While demonstrating searches in scientific databases, science librarian further explained the advantages of getting valuable information on companies, authors/researchers, and publications that could be helpful to students for job or graduate school applications. Faculty collaboration was fetal to keep students connected to libraries in the classrooms and beyond.<br/>

Practical and effective: Strategies to engage chemistry undergraduate students into library information literacy training

254th National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.