Comprehensive Guide to HCC Library Research Guides and Services

Definition and Core Functions of Research Guides

  • Official Definition: Research guides are mini websites developed by librarians to help students identify, locate, and access scholarly and non-scholarly resources on a specific subject or for a particular course.

  • Aggregation Mechanism: Librarians gather resources from across the institution's website, internal databases, cataloged print collections, journal articles, external websites, and Open Educational Resources (OER), combining them into a single centralized guide ("many resources, one guide").

  • Comparison to Eagle Library Search and Catalog: While general search tools query broad system holdings, research guides specialize in gathering diverse resource formats centered on a single topic or course, complete with librarian-recommended materials.

  • Scope and Content Types Included:

    • Open Educational Resources (OER).

    • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) content.

    • Print books and eBooks.

    • American Psychological Association (APA) and Modern Language Association (MLA) citation tools.

    • Academic and non-academic blogs.

    • Subject-specific subscription databases.

    • Scholarly journal articles.

    • Physical shelf call numbers.

    • Streaming media and search instructions.

    • Real Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds from relevant organizations.

  • Limitations and Recommendations:

    • Research guides are not available for every subject offered.

    • Guides are not completely exhaustive collections; students may still need to perform broader searches across other sections of the main website.

    • Recommended for use when attempting to save time via a single information hub, seeking guidance on selecting databases, establishing a research starting point, or attempting to locate varied source formats.

Navigation and Accessing HCC Library Resources

  • Main Houston Community College (HCC) Website Navigation:

    1. Navigate to the main HCC website homepage.

    2. Scroll down to the bottom footer section.

    3. Under the "Resources" header, select the Library link.

  • My Eagle Student Portal Navigation:

    1. Log into the My Eagle student portal.

    2. Scroll down the portal tiles to locate the Library tile (depicted visually by books leaning against each other).

    3. Click the tile to navigate directly to the library website.

Library Website Core Features and Tools

  • Locations and Hours:

    • Located at the top navigation bar of the library homepage.

    • Allows filtering by specific campus to review physical operating schedules, librarian presence, contact phone numbers, and email addresses.

    • Katy Campus Library Example: Features a dedicated campus page displaying current daily operational hours, contact telephone numbers, and librarian email contact info.

  • Eagle Library Search:

    • Main discovery tool covering approximately 99%99\% of all library holdings.

    • Queries physical books, eBooks, subscription databases, and academic articles by subject, title, author, or keywords.

    • Does not index 100%100\% of resources; specific isolated materials require individual database queries.

  • Library Catalog:

    • Primary index for locating print books and eBooks, alongside select electronic materials.

    • Search Procedure Example (Locating To Kill a Mockingbird):

    1. Enter the title into the search bar to display holding records across all system campuses.

    2. Filter results by specific campus (e.g., Central Campus) to isolate local physical availability.

    3. Authenticate when prompted using student user credentials (W-numberW\text{-number} and password).

    4. View specific shelving locations and physical call numbers.

    • Inter-Library Hold Requests: Students attending one campus (e.g., Alief / ALEAF) can place hold requests on physical items located at another campus (e.g., Central) to have them shipped for desk pickup at their primary campus.

  • A-to-Z Database Repository:

    • Complete listing of all 299299 library-subscribed databases arranged alphabetically.

    • Subject Filtering: Aligns databases with academic majors (e.g., Allied Health, Biology, English).

    • Type Filtering: Groups databases by format or content style (e.g., Biographies, Book Reviews, Film, Literary Criticism).

    • Vendor Filtering: Organizes tools by the underlying publishing company or host platform.

    • Access Protocol: Selecting a title opens an internal database search interface; remote access prompts login via W-numberW\text{-number} and password depending on off-campus status and vendor settings.

  • Webinars and Calendar Events:

    • Features instructional online workshops covering course-specific content (e.g., EDUC courses) and general skill development.

    • Direct registration is completed by clicking event titles listed on the live calendar.

    • Example webinar: "Lights, Camera, Create" (offering a virtual tour of the Katy Campus video studio / One Button Studio).

  • Careers Tab: Dedicated section providing career research resources and guidance.

Categories and Organization of Research Guides

  • Subject Guides:

    • Organized by academic discipline or major, each managed by designated subject-expert librarians resulting in customized layouts.

    • Economics Guide: Integrates eBook links, shelf call numbers, embedded Eagle Library Search boxes, recommended streaming media, career pathways, relevant professional organizations, live RSS feeds, OER links (e.g., Khan Academy, government websites), and biographies of economists. Filters the total list of 299299 databases down to specific economics tools. Transitioning journal indexing tools from Publication Finder to LibKey and BrowZine.

    • Anthropology Guide: Managed by a dedicated librarian. Includes a LibChat widget, print/eBook holdings with cover images and call numbers, database article portals, streaming media, OER links, and career tabs.

    • Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Guide: Supports the HCC baccalaureate degree program. Highlights degree plan structures, curated texts, articles, industry news, professional organization portals, data sources, and recommendations for related research guides.

    • HVAC Workforce Guide: Tailored for vocational HVAC students. Features career resources, textbook lists, article databases, and a virtual video tour of the Deacon Cypress Creek facility.

    • Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Guide: Provides targeted medical reference materials, articles, and instructional aids, including student-produced mnemonic videos illustrating emergency response procedures.

Course-Specific, Learning Skills, and Specialized Guides

  • Course Guides:

    • Custom-built portals requested directly by faculty to serve specific class sections.

    • Horror Films (Study of Genre and Form) Example: Integrates MLA citation resources and direct embedded search links targeting assigned films, returning Eagle Library Search results for the film media, academic commentary, and critical reviews.

  • Guides for Learning Skills:

    • Focused on academic competencies, technical software, and campus facility tools.

    • Citation Style Guides: Detailed documentation on citation standards, including the MLA Style Guide (9th9\text{th} Edition).

    • Studio Facilities: Procedures and information for using One Button Studio video facilities (available at Katy Campus, Central Campus, and West Houston Institute) and campus podcasting studios.

    • Academic Integrity and Tools: Instructions on Canvas navigation, source evaluation techniques, and avoiding plagiarism.

    • Equipment Checkout & Maker Spaces: Rules for checking out library laptops and hardware operating manuals (e.g., operating MakerBot or MakerBot Replicator Mini 3D3\text{D} printers).

  • Credo Reference:

    • Functions as a structured, authoritative "mini research library" that serves as a reliable alternative to Wikipedia without user-editable content.

    • Covers general subjects (e.g., Ancient Civilizations, Fashion, Ancient Rome, Astrology) using interactive mind maps, embedded instructional videos, background articles, and reference eBooks.

Community Initiatives, Programs, and Scholarships

  • Community Guides Scope: Cover non-academic civic topics (e.g., elections) and regional collaborative library initiatives.

  • Gulf Coast Reads:

    • Annual October reading initiative connecting public libraries, secondary schools, and higher education institutions across the Gulf Coast region around a single selected book.

    • Features regional events, book discussion groups, and interactive programming (e.g., "Murder Mystery in a Box").

  • Reading Culture Scholarship Program:

    • Book discussion group and competition awarding a \n1000 scholarship and two \n500 scholarships for subsequent semester tuition at HCC.

    • Participation Requirements:

    1. Read the designated program book selection.

    2. Attend at least 22 qualifying cultural events.

    3. Submit short reflection responses within the designated Canvas shell.

    4. Author a final essay or produce a creative project judged by an evaluation panel.

    • Features on-campus physical book distribution events across locations, including the Katy Campus.

Assistance Tools and Live Librarian Support

  • LibChat / Ask Us Widget:

    • Accessible via floating chat bubble icons on research guides or via the top toolbar under "Ask a Librarian".

    • Directly connects students to live HCC librarians across various citywide campuses (e.g., Katy, Eastside, Fraga, Northline).

    • Average response time is under 30 seconds30\,\text{seconds}.

    • Required Input: Student name and official HCC Outlook student email (W-numberW\text{-number} email address).

    • Service Hours:

    • Weekdays: Active monitoring throughout standard operational hours.

    • Sundays: Physical campus facilities are closed, but live librarian chat operates from 12:00 PM12:00\,\text{PM} to 6:00 PM6:00\,\text{PM}.

    • Overnight / Off-Hours: Automated chatbot support assists users when live staff is unavailable.

  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Self-service knowledge base located directly within the Ask a Librarian toolbar portal.

Exit Ticket Requirements and Attendance Process

  • Exit Ticket Submission Procedure (In Session Chat):

    1. Verify student full name (first and last name) appears in the chat box; manually type full name if unlisted.

    2. Navigate to a research guide of personal or academic interest.

    3. Copy the specific research guide URL.

    4. Paste the copied URL into the chat session.

  • Attendance Verification Email Sequence:

    • First Email: Automated system email containing a presentation feedback survey.

    • Second Email: Official attendance confirmation message dispatched directly from a librarian (typically Treva Anderson). Serves as official documentation required for course credit submission.