Online Library Workshops

Learning to do library and web-based information research is an important part of information competency. To support this, CCSF Library provides a suite of library skills workshops.

The library workshops are now closed for the spring semester. They will be available again the first week of the summer semester. No Research Challenger will be offered in summer 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enroll in library workshops?

Find library workshops in Canvas. To begin the workshops for the first time:

Go to Library Workshops and click “Start Workshop”
Log in using your RAM ID. (Need a RAM ID? Follow instructions on the RAM ID Login Portal).
“Enroll in Course”.

How do I complete a workshop?

Enroll in the “Library Skills Workshops (Current Semester)” course in Canvas using your RAM ID.
Read and view all workshop content.
Complete and submit the corresponding quiz.
Score 85% or higher on each quiz to receive a Badge.

I completed a workshop this semester! How do I get a completion slip?

At the end of each workshop, learners earn a badge that is labeled with their CCSF email address and workshop title. Your CCSF Canvas account contains all completed online workshop badges from the current semester. Click on “Badges” link in course navigation bar on the left. You can also see the workshops you've completed in your Grades page in the Library Research Skills course. Take screenshots of your badge(s) or your Grades page to email to your instructor. Or, ask a librarian to give you a completion slip you can email.

In which order should I take the workshops?

With the exception of Research Challenger, library workshops are based on information competency concepts and can be taken in any order. However, the Library recommends taking them in the following order:

Academic Integrity
Getting Started with the CCSF Library
Information Identifier
Database Seeker
Information Evaluator
Citation Champion (MLA or APA)
Research Challenger (MLA or APA) *not offered Summer 2025
- Prerequisites are: Database Seeker, Citation Champion (MLA or APA), and Information Evaluator

My instructor assigned one or more library workshops with different names from the ones I see on the Library website. How do I complete them?

Library workshops have been updated. Old versions had letters in their names (e.g. “Workshop A”). If you received old information, ask your instructor to contact us. We will be happy to provide them with current information about Library workshops.

Are there any workshops I can take in-person?

No, all workshops must be completed online in Canvas. If you need help with a workshop, contact us or visit any CCSF Library reference desk.

I completed a workshop in a past semester. How can I get proof?

Completion slips for workshops from past semesters can be issued by a CCSF reference librarian for up to one year from completion. Contact a librarian to request one and we will email it to you.

I did some library workshops back when there was a handwritten assignment required for each one. Are those grades still valid?

Those workshops were phased out over one year ago, and the grades are no longer valid.

I completed the Research Challenger Workshop. Where is my grade or badge?

Research Challenger workshops are graded online by a librarian within one week of submission. If revisions are needed, the grading librarian will contact you through Canvas to correct and resubmit the assignment. Students who need their grade more immediately may come to a library reference desk to get their assignment graded in person, but should be aware that this process may take some time if corrections are needed or if the library is busy at that time.

Workshop Learning Outcomes

Workshop Name	Learning Outcomes
Academic Integrity	Distinguish academic integrity and academic dishonesty Identify factors that put students at risk of academic dishonesty and ways to avoid it Identify strategies for practicing academic integrity and the CCSF resources that provide support
Getting Started with the CCSF Library	Identify the locations of CCSF Library Identify the services that the CCSF Library provides for students Locate where to access the online resources of the CCSF Library Use the RAM ID to access online library resources Determine when and how to ask a CCSF librarian for help
Information Identifier	Identify at what point in the information cycle a source is created Distinguish between primary, secondary and tertiary sources Differentiate between scholarly and non-scholarly sources Determine which information format is appropriate based on the degree of information provided
Database Seeker	Develop and conduct effective search strategies within library databases Interpret screen displays and filter search results in order to find relevant materials Identify and retrieve relevant information regardless of format type
Citation Champion (MLA and APA)	Recognize plagiarism in its various forms and the consequences of plagiarizing Correctly paraphrase, quote and summarize an original idea from a source using a standard citation format Correctly identify citation elements for the purpose of preparing a list of sources in a standardized citation format Define copyright and fair use and identify when exceptions can be made
Information Evaluator	Describe how the publication process is a factor in the evaluation process of an information source Understand the difference between information formats, both formal and informal Evaluate a source using criteria such as authority, relevance, objectivity/bias, and currency
Research Challenger	Write and refine a research question or thesis statement Identify key concepts and terms in the research question or statement Distinguish different types of sources (popular, scholarly, primary, secondary) and select those appropriate for the information need Apply research skills to find credible sources that are relevant to information need Understand the importance of critically evaluating and crediting other’s research contributions Prepare MLA or APA formatted citations for a bibliography