Chemical Information Across San Diego County: A Community College and University Library Collaboration for an Independent Synthesis Project
Abstract
Community college students have a number of freely available chemical information resources at their disposal. However, for an advanced assignment requiring greater access to the chemical literature, they may find themselves at a disadvantage compared with students at nearby institutions whose libraries provide more licensed electronic resources. In February 2013, a Palomar chemistry instructor partnered with the UCSD chemistry librarian to connect her second semester organic chemistry class with the resources and assistance needed for an independent synthesis project, offering the students a richer, more real-life experience, as well as an introduction to the library and the chemical literature. In this presentation, we will share how this collaboration came about, how we prepared for and taught the library instruction session, student outcomes and feedback, and what we have learned for future classes.
Presented at the 246th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, September 8-12, 2013.