AACC Library: Resources and Source Evaluation

AACC Library Resources and Source Evaluation

As AACC students, you have access to a variety of valuable library resources.
Librarians are experts in research and are available to assist you; utilize their expertise.

In-person: Visit the library and speak with a librarian directly.
Phone: Call the reference desk if you prefer phone communication, especially if you are not on campus.
Online Chat: Use the "Ask Us" page to chat with a live librarian. This page can be accessed via the AACC homepage by clicking the "Library" link.
Multiple contact options (in person, phone, chat) ensure support is available in various situations.

Purpose: Call numbers indicate the specific location of an item within the library.
Systems: Some libraries use the duodecimal system for organization, while others, like the Truxal Library on campus, use their own classification system.
Example Call Number: PR 6039.I9 G7 1953
- This is presented as an example of a popular book in the library.
- It is from 1953. Guesses like Fahrenheit 451, To Kill a Mockingbird, 1984, and Animal Farm were made but deemed incorrect.
- The instructor also mentioned that a call number's components, like I9 G7, relate to the author's last name (e.g., Fitzgerald), and its placement on the shelf, not necessarily the subject matter directly tied to the name.

To ensure the credibility of sources for your assignments, pass them through three essential tests:

Importance: Understanding who the author is and their qualifications is crucial for determining credibility.
Indicators of Expertise: Authors who are experts will often highlight their qualifications, such as academic titles (e.g., "Doctor Zoe").
Researching Authorship:
- Dig deeper by clicking on author bios in your sources.
- Read about their background and other works they have published.
- If an author has contributed meaningfully to the conversation on a topic previously, it indicates they possess relevant background and their work can likely be trusted.

Importance: Identify the source or publisher of the information to assess its objectivity and potential biases.
Using the Media Bias Chart:
- This tool helps analyze the sponsorship and inherent biases of a source.
- Axes:
  - Y-axis: Ranges from thorough fact reporting/fact-dense analysis (top) to simply making things up (bottom).
  - X-axis: Ranges from strong left-leaning to strong right-leaning political biases.
- Goal: For general information, aim to select sources located in the center box of the chart, ideally near the absolute center of that box.
- Desired Characteristics: Seek sources that are high on the y-axis (factually sound) and exhibit "plus low bias" (centrist).
- Example: A source with a strong left-leaning bias might tend to present more positive views on liberal agendas.
- Application: The Media Bias Chart is an effective tool for analyzing whether a source is biased and how that bias might influence the information presented.

Importance: The up-to-dateness of information is critical, especially for rapidly changing fields.
Current Information: For topics like financial information, seek the most recent data (e.g., from 2024 or, if available, 2025).
Exceptions: Not all information requires constant updates.
- Historical Texts: The publication date of classic literature like The Great Gatsby (e.g., 1953) remains constant and doesn't diminish its value.
Context for Research: When researching an organization for a speech, for instance, you'll want both information directly from the organization and external, independently verified sources to provide a comprehensive and balanced perspective.