Resources for Faculty

Collection development

New Book Recommendations
from Carey Libraries

The development of a strong research and curriculum support library collection is a team responsibility, shared jointly by the faculty and librarians at Southwestern Adventist University. Faculty members' subject expertise is vital for building a deep collection, focused on the needs of the university's curriculum. Librarians will ensure that the collection is balanced to reflect the complex community served by Chan Shun Centennial Library.

If you wish to recommend a resource for the library, you are welcome to submit your suggestion to the Library Acquisitions staff or to the Director. We will fill as many requests as the budget can accommodate. Consider books, journals, DVDs, CDs, and online databases in your requests. The information world has shifted in the past 10 years so that having access to digital resources is nearly as important as owning physical resources for libraries and scholars. Our job is to ensure that Southwestern's collection is as comprehensive and reflective of the university's mission as possible, while also being as cost-effective. We solicit your help.

Information Literacy and Library Instruction

Southwestern has determined that information literacy will be a focus of the University's quality enhancement endeavors for the upcoming decade. The Association of College and Research Libraries has defined information literacy as: "a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information." (ACRL, Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education, ALA, 2000, p. 2) These abilities will prepare 21st century Christian scholars to become independent, life-long learners, which is a vital component of being whole Christians.

Southwestern's librarians are committed to working with the faculty and administration to ensure that our students receive a firm grounding in information literacy in their undergraduate curriculum at the university. We will work with you to develop assignments and projects that introduce students to the concepts and tools of information literacy, which are designed to advance students from an initial awareness of information needs through the accessing and evaluation of information, into the effective use of information, and to a final understanding of the complex economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the legal and ethical use of information.

If you would like to collaborate with library staff on implementing information literacy into your coursework, please contact the Library Director, Cristina Thomsen. We will be delighted to assist you and your class with library instruction at an introductory or advanced level, and with higher level research and literature analysis as part of information literacy.

Course Reserves

To place materials on reserve at the library for your classes, please bring books, journal articles, DVDs, or other resources to the library's Circulation / Information Desk at least one week before your class will need the materials. You may fill out the Reserve Request Form online, print a copy of the Reserve Request Form to bring with you, or complete a paper copy at the library. Materials placed on reserve will be returned to you at the end of each semester.

Library Interactive Classroom

If you wish to reserve use of the Library Interactive Classroom for the semester or for a special session, please contact the Public Services Librarian (x.6480), the Access Services Coordinator (x.6242), or the Library Director (x. 6732). Library instruction and research workshops and seminars are given priority for use of the room. Courses that depend on the room's computer and media interactive capabilities are given second priority. Reserve the room early.

Rooms for Tutors

If your courses depend on peer tutoring sessions you may reserve the third floor group study rooms in the library for your tutors. Please call the library's main number (817-202-6242) to make reservations.