Library : Skills Checklist for Students

Do you know how to…?

Access reliable information about health

• Use Life West library’s web-based catalog to find material in the desired format
• Refer to library webpages for additional resources 
• Choose relevant research databases to help solve a question about patient care
• Determine which reference books and subscriptions to journals and newsletter would be useful purchases for your practice
• Evaluate quality of websites, especially practitioners’ sites
• Find reliable health information on the web for patients

Use resources to improve reading, writing and editing

• Read scientific literature critically
• Understand basic standards for digital slide shows, brochures, professional websites, and electronic newsletters
• Establish a file management system and/or use citation management software
• Define and avoid plagiarism
• Properly cite references in your papers and professional office publications  

(see library’s webpages on “Citations” and  “Writing and Publishing”)

• Follow copyright law in both print and online publications; and if you are an author, establish copyright for your own publications

Learn about appropriate technology

• Forward your college e-mail to a preferred existing account
• Routinely back up your files
• Choose an appropriate level of computer security for personal and business uses
• Update anti-virus, spam and “phishing” protection
• Choose the appropriate business management software for your practice
• Produce a newsletter for your patients
• Protect your personal privacy and professional reputation when using social software on the Internet

Which needs do you have that library staff has not anticipated?

Contact the library staff.  We can share our skills, learn more ourselves, and find additional resources in this library and beyond.  See online resources about technology and free online tutorials for Microsoft Office at the library’s Technology Skills page .