LIB 197 is a one-credit course that meets the first 8 weeks of each semester. Multiple sections are offered during both fall and spring semesters. An Honors section of the course is taught once per year.

Open to all undergraduates, LIB 197 is geared towards first and second year students in order to provide them with a comprehensive introduction not only to the CMU Libraries, but to how sources are organized and information can be found in variety of library settings.

Among the many topics covered in the course are:

1. How to search databases (including the Libraries’ catalog and periodical databases) using keywords, subjects, authors, titles, and advanced options.
2. How to identify appropriate research tools, including periodical databases (indexes, abstracts, full-text), the library catalog, search engines and print sources.
3. How to distinguish between popular and scholarly articles and sources.
4. How to evaluate information and sources of information.
5. How to define, recognize and avoid plagiarism.
6. How to correctly cite sources of information.

Regardless of major, all students can benefit from LIB 197, so consider enrolling!

For more information, please contact Stephanie Mathson, Instruction Librarian and LIB 197 Coordinator, at maths1sm@cmich.edu or 989-774-3071.