My Research Guide: The Final Project

Project: Research Guide: Final Project
Instructor: Dena Laney
Course: Lib3 - Information Competency
Student: Patrick Singleton
Date: July 30th, 2009

A) Overview:

Topic: Short Story Literature Criticism

Description of topic: Literature/Literary criticism is a help to make clear what is obscure. The study of Literary Criticism may best begun by an inquiry into the meaning of the term. The following questions then suggest themselves:

a) What is the nature of the process called criticism?

b) How many kinds of criticisms are there and what is the principle of classification?

c) How is Literary Criticism distinguished from other variations or types of criticism?

Definitions of criticism - These may be drawn from the usages of speeches and writing, or
framed in accordance with some theory; or the two methods may be combined, one being
used to correct the other.

Source: An Introduction to the Methods and Materials of Literary Criticism:
The Basis in Aesthetics and Poetics. Galey, C. , Scott, F.
GinnCompany, 1889
Additional source: www.questia.com/app/direct/SM.qst


B) Library of Congress Subject Headings:

Short stories, American
(May, Subd. Geog) P5374.55 (History and Criticism)
{P5648.55} (Collections)

Short stories - 20th Century
Short stories - History and Criticism
Short stories - African(French)

C) Keywords:

1) Short; 2) Story; 3) American; 4) Criticism; 5) Modern.

Boolean search strategy: whatANDisANDliteraryANDcriticism. It displayed more than
56,000 results regarding Literary Criticism.

D) Reference:

keyed in shortandreference;
shortandstoryanddictionary

Results: Columbia Companion to the twentieth century. American short story/Gelfant, B., ed.
*This resource is very reliable source, because it is a handbook that provides pertinent data
on short stories in the 20th century.

Critical survey of short fiction/Magill, F. ed.
*This is very good resource, as the title is self-explanatory, it is gives a critical survey of short
fiction., for the advanced or beginner in literature criticism.

Handbook of short story writing/Dickson, F. and Smythe, S. ed.
*A very accurate and authoritative work, providing objectivity as to the how and why,
handbooks give complete and current coverage for my research.

E) Print Books:

Milne, I., ed. Short stories for students. Volume 7 Detroit: Gale Group, c 2000
* This is the most current resource, and it relates directly to students, accurate and on point
with my topic.
Akers, T., ed. Short stories. Volume 6 Detroit: Gale Group, c 1999
* This is a good resource for everyone, it is very relative to my topic in a general fashion,
Akers, T. and M.J., ed. Short stories for students. Volume 5 Detroit: Gale Group, c 1999
* Here is one of the first resources, and the basis from which the others were written, specifically targeting students.

Website Resources:
http://:librivox.org
http://www.fas.harvard.edu/-trollopel

F) Periodicals:

Jackson, M.. ""Sing Out, Warning! Sing Out, Love!": The Writings of Lee Hays. " . Journal of American Folklore 121.482 (2008): 495-496. Research Library Core, ProQuest. Web. 30 Jul. 2009.
Kelman, D.. "The Afterlife of Storytelling: Julio Cortázar's Reading of Walter Benjamin and Edgar Allan Poe. " Comparative Literature 60.3 (2008): 244-260. Humanities Module, ProQuest. Web. 30 Jul. 2009.
Söffner, C.. "A nest of singing birds; 100 years of the New Zealand School Journal. " Bookbird 47.2 (2009): 57-57. Children's Module, ProQuest. Web. 30 Jul. 2009.

The periodicals are relevant because each work is a short story of: 1) "Sing Out, Warning! Sing Out, Love! is an American Folklore; 2) "The Afterlife of Storytelling: Julio Cortazar's Reading of Walter Benjamin and Edgar Alan Poe, is Comparative Literature; 3) "A nest of singing birds; 100 years of the New Zealand School Journal, is an Academic Journal.

I performed the search by going to the LBCC Library home page, clicked on as a off-campus user, then logged on, using my student ID and last name, then highlighted articles and databases from the side menu. I then chose ProQuest for periodical related articles. Typed my subject in the search box, and found all of the above literary related resources.

G. Website Resources:

http://:libriVox.org

LibriVox provides "free audiobooks" from the public domain. There are several options for listening. the first step is to get the mp3 or ogg files into your own computer. This is very valuable to my topic because it provides another alternative to Short Story Literary Criticism by listening vs. reading. It was reliable as I checked the url, and it is a legitimate organization. It displayed plenty of links to search out my topic, including how to listen, even a forum index where you could meet other people who share your same literary interest. It showed me currency in providing the latest news, and the new releases of books. I found a link related to my topic under the title: Short Story Collection Vol 038 by various authors. I clicked on it, and it produced 20 shorts works of fiction in the public domain read by a group of LibriVox members. They were cataloged on July, 28th, 2009.

http://www.questia.com/app/direct/SM.qst

Questia Media America, Inc. is the publisher of this site, and posted a current copyright date
of c 2009. Regent University endorses and advertises on the webpage. They are a professional
corporation, comprehensive concerning my chosen topic. It is the world's largest full-text online
library of copy-righted-cleared books. It is also an online CMS for teachers to easily create, plan, or manage unique course material. It was reliable as there were several links to enhance my search. Questia has a school of digital learning and literarcy, covering all literary subjects, so it's
coverage is constantly updated.

Reflection Of This Online Experience...Blog#5

Greetings Dena and Fellow Lib3 Classmates,

This class was a more intense online course. Last semester I was in Lib2, which was somewhat easier, as the research questions were about half of Lib3. We had more student interaction in
some of other online classes(I am basically an online student due to my back injury), but I am
becoming slowly but surely acclaimated. to the distant learning system. I think some students
may get overwhelmed with the online format because it so different from the traditional class-
room setting and lectures. Working through pain and medication has been rough for me, but I
believe this type of "library research" is a must for not only for the disabled, but working parents/students.

I prefer face to face vs. online, but due to my current situation I am glad such an alternative
exists, so we just have to try and make the best of it. I like to listen to the lectures, and be able
to ask questions for clarification, or even stay for extra help when needed. In some of my other
online courses, we had set days to come to the library, or meeting rooms, where the instructor
was available certain hours one on one with students, on a first come first serve basis.

Online courses are harder than traditional classroom interaction, because one must be totally committed as well as disciplined to remained focused. So much can come up in the home setting
with family, noisy neighbors, personal problems, kids, grandkids...whew, or anything can distract you. So you need a quiet place to work uninterrupted. At my home there is only one computer, so I end up working online early or late when it is most serene.


Lib3 has been my toughest online course yet, but I believe challenges and adversity can reveal ones true character, and lead you into your destiny when you learn from it. Dena, I've learned alot and just wish I had more time with you, to pick your brain because going through this format after my late start, I know you have so much more to teach me(us). I am definitely more
critical and analytical in my thinking online, searching for accuracy and truth in all websites.

Blog#4 "Information Competency"

Information Competency is the ability to access, evaluate, organize, and use information in order to learn, problem solve, make quality decisions in formal and informal learning context at home, work, and like this, an educational setting.

It is very important to be Information Competent because we do the aforementioned things on a daily basis. It also encompasses critical and analytical thinking, preventing one from making rash decisions. I do believe I am a growing Information Competent student, even more so after being engaged in this class, and researching and completing the various assignments.

Such a student should 1) be able to determine the nature and extent of the information needed.
2) access needed information effectively and efficiently, from a variety of sites keeping in mind key words or phrases, etc. 3) be able to thoroughly evaluate information and it's sources critically and incorporate selected information into his/her knowledge base and value system.
I must say emphatically, "Yes" I am a life-long Information Competency student, and feel I can improve my experience and conceptions of researching, teaching, and learning influences with constant practice, using the techniques in other classes, and everyday affairs.

I have discovered our method of learning experiences influences learning results. I never knew there was such a myriad of sites with a wealth of information on any subject matter. Already I have been able to use some the sites I discovered to help in my personal life. The challenge of this class for me, has now become an adventure!

Taking this with you Dena, has inspired this concludung paragraph. I learned that information is
ephemeral, meaning short-lived or transitory. A website may vanish overnight. Material published in books, magazines, newspapers, and scholarly journals has to be reviewed for accuracy and reliability, but a webpage can assert anything, no matter how fanciful or unreliable.

Now as Information Competent students, we must approach each site with critical and analytical thinking, in our undaunted quest for truth over fraud and erroroneous reporting, promotion, or advertisement. Who knows, we could create a site like snopes.com;)

Blog Reflection #3

Since I began the Lib3 class, I have learned more about blogging(which is equivalent to keeping an open diary), and I actually enjoy it. What is different than when I started writing these blogs, is it easier than what I imagined it to be. Concerning my research, in the past it wasn't quite as extensive as it has become in the midst of this semester. I have gained more insight to more web searches, and a greater plethora of information at my finger tips, thanks to Dena and all of the assignments she's given us to delve into.
I recognize in carrying out class work in this course, that I can make my research easier by knowing precisely what I am looking for. A few hints I'd write to myself to remember would be, 1) Gather all the pertinent research data, 2) Narrow my search down to the key words, or locations, 3) Make sure I am in the right site for the project I intend to complete. 4) Use all sources available to me on the internet, the librarians and library, or periodicals, etc.
This course has made me engage in analytical, critical thinking even as I had to rehearse in my mind what I have gained in the course thus far. It's a good thing to Dena, as I love to write anyway. I am still glad I took this course. As I conclude this blog reflection, I personally hope and pray you and your baby are doing well.

Blog Reflection2

I have been reading up on the Library of Congress Subject Headings. Once I began reading it, there was so much information I didn't want to put it away(I actually wish you could check them out).
The internet is fairly big part of my life of daily communication with Dena and Lib3, as well as family and friends.
I think the library will always be needed, even though we can access so much information on various search engines. You still can't access everything such as the aforementioned, LCSH. I don't think the experience of going to a public, university, or college library is quite the same as just sitting at your computer in home or office.
When I went on my Library visit, I had forgot how exciting it was to get out and mingle with the people as well as the librarians, who have so much knowledge to offer, and are just plain willing to help you in any way they can in accordance with their expertise.
I had such a good time, I shared it with my family, and my granddaughter wants me to take her the next time I go.
I must say Dena, I had never really kept anything like a diary so to speak, but this blogging kind of puts me in the mindset of writing a diary of my thoughts and activities. It is something different for me, as for the most part I am a very private person. I must say I am enjoying each and every assignment you give us each week because of the challenge and your style.
I have had a ball researching the last 2 assignments given regardng Evaluating Internet Info, and Hoaxes and Urban Legends on Snopes.com
I find my self going back to check more and more information I receive on a daily basis, to make sure the information recieved by me, or info that I may pass on is accurate and true. This is a great course, and I am glad I took it.

Project 1: Library Visit

My visit was located at the Placentia Library, located at 411 East Chapman Avenue, in the lovely city of Placentia. The building layout was contemporary with sliding entry doors, right next to the local Police Department. The parking lot was in the back, and was more than enough room.
The seating capacity was approximately for 75 to 100 adults and children. I might add, the landscaping was well manicured.

When I entered, the first desk I observed was the Circulation desk to show your library card, or to acquire a new one to check-out books, dvd's, or videos. Across the room was the Return desk, to drop off in the book slot, or give to the clerk. Everything from fiction to nonfiction books, audio books for adults, to board books/Playaway books for kids were available for check-out, with the exception of the reference materials. The Playaway books are something new that the library has only had for the last 2 years. It is an audio book that comes with it's own battery, with the book ready to play once you plug in the earphones(just like an MP3 player).

The three services that were readily available, with one surprising was 1) Passport services, 2) Reference service guides via the internet, and a whole catalog of reference books, and 3) Literacy tutoring to adults, or children upon request. I'd like to add number 4) The children's section, which was one of the most complete that I've seen at any library. They have summer reading programs from grades K thru 12, all on their own levels on designated days. The theme is: "Be Creative @ Your Library." I was introduced to children's librarian(Laurie), who was nice enough to give me materials, as well as show me around the entire section, I felt like a big kid again... ;).

They had computers all along the walls, where the older kids could study and do research, while on the other side were pc's for pre-schoolers and tiny tots to play eduational board games. They also receive prizes for participating in the programs, with gifts donated from the community, and private sector. There was also a wide array of dvd's, cd's with music and books on cd's. The librarian let me know that there was a printer available if needed, exclusively in the kid's section.

The classification system is the Dewey Decimal, and it is a Public Library, with hours from 9am to 6pm Monday - Friday. Saturday 9am - 5pm, and Sunday from 1pm - 5pm.
Their reference section had it's own librarian by the name of Nadia Dalstream. She was very helpful in explaining that this section had special encyclopedias on all subject matters from science to history, very well coded and organized. Most of their books are not replaced due to a low budget, while others must be replaced due to yearly changes, such as books on Building Codes, which Nadia said, are in high demand and must stay current.

The most popular online resources are the Ancestry(genealogy), to look up, and create family trees, and the General Reference Center, from the Gale Cengage Learning Company. It's noted for it's newspapers, magazines, and journals. What I like most about this library is that it is close to where I live, the amiable librarians and workers, and the various programs for kids and adults. The only thing I didn't like was that they didn't have enough employees to go around for all the people that were there. As the librarian tried to take me on the tour, we kept getting interrupted, but we finally made it.

Lastly, the website for the library is: www.placentialibrary.org/ and the phone number is (714)528-1906.

Hello Class!

Hello All & welcome to my blog. This is my first time blogging, so I am excited to get started.
I hope you all are doing well in the class, and that you have a great weekend.

p.s. A special hello to our Instructor Dena...I hope I figured this out, and I am doing it the
right way(sm).