A visit to an academic advisor or a glance at a DARS report will tell UB students that, in order to graduate, they must complete the Library Skills Workbook. While students disagree about whether or not the Workbook should be a graduation requirement, UB advisors say that it is important to complete the Workbook as early as possible.
The Library Skills Workbook has been one of the general education requirements for undergraduate students, including transfer students, since the approval from the Faulty Senate in 1980.
According to Tatiana De La Tierra, the information literacy librarian of Arts and Sciences Libraries, the Library Skills Workbook tests students on their ability to use information resources for research.
"It covers the research process, how to do research, use the Internet, and how to find books and articles," said De La Tierra. "It is a starting point for students to get to know the research. Accessing information is more complicated than you realize. We try to assist that process, we create the test and grade it, and help (students) to fulfill the requirement."
The test is taken online, and includes 30 multiple-choice questions that can take up to two hours to complete, according to De La Tierra.
Tommie Babbs, a senior academic advisor, said that the Library Skills Workbook helps students in their personal lives in addition to their academic careers.
"It is personal information rather than academic," said Babbs. "You may find out information that you need in your personal life which benefits you in the library. Do you know where to find the information of the graduate school that you want to apply to? Do you know where to find (information about) scholarships? The library."
Despite its potential to help students with their intended careers, some students said they do not understand why the Workbook is a graduation requirement.
"I don't agree with it," said Rachel Laporta, a senior psychology major. "If you are smart enough to get to college, you would be smart enough to use the library."
Laporta added that she does not like the Workbook because it is too time consuming.
Dana Belcher, sophomore transfer exercise science major expressed mixed thoughts on the Workbook.
"It can be helpful," said Belcher. "To be a requirement, I don't think it's necessary because I took it in high school already."
Other students think that the Workbook is an important way for students to understand how to conduct research in the library.
"I think it is helpful, especially for freshman and for people who are not familiar with the Internet and getting around the library electronically," said Joe McManaman, first year graduate medical engineering major. "It is the best way for people to do research and do it on their own."
Despite the fact that students groan at taking time out of their schedule to complete the Workbook, De La Tierra said the majority of UB students have little trouble completing it.
"It approximately takes the student two hours if you take it seriously," said De La Tierra. "Ninety percent of students passed when they took it the first time."
Almost all academic advisors, including Babbs, recommend that students complete the Workbook during the first semester of their freshman year. Aside from completing a graduation requirement, Babbs said that the Workbook assists students throughout their academic career.
"(The library) is the key place to find information," said Babbs. "Since a lot of classes require you to write papers with some form of investigative work, the library teaches them those skills."
"We also highly recommend that students finish it in the beginning (of their collegiate career), not the end," said De La Tierra.
Students looking for information about the Library Skills Workbook can visit the Workbook website at http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/workbook.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
