Workshop handout

CollegeSource Database and College Resources

[Editorial Note: The CollegeSource database noted below is no longer available from SDPL. This document remains available as an archival and historical document, and other portions of the information are still relevant.]

Presented by
Dennis Gooler and Roben Gerson, Social Sciences Section
San Diego Public Library

This Subject Internet & Technology session will give you an introduction to using and exploring the CollegeSource premium online database. CollegeSource is available at all libraries, and to library patrons with a library card from remote/home locations. At the end, there are also some references to selected books available at the Central Library.

• CollegeSource Database
• Sample Scenarios for Using CollegeSource
• Selected References, College Resources, Central Library
• College and University Resources, San Diego Public Library Pathfinder (PDF: 204K)

CollegeSource Database

Access: You can access CollegeSource from any San Diego Public Library location, or remotely from home or another computer. Library users will need their library card number and PIN for remote access. You can find CollegeSource on our SDPL Web site.

What can CollegeSource do for you? It offers links to 22,026 college catalogs, Web sites, and profiles. It helps to identify schools that meet individual criteria such as geographic location, number of students enrolled, affiliation, majors and degree level offered.

In addition, CollegeSource offers the following links and resources, which are found under the Additional Resources link:

Assessment and Testing Sites

• ACT
• SAT
• Kaplan Test Prep
• Princeton Review

• America's Job Bank, Occupational Outlook Handbook, US Bureau of Labor Statistics

• College Net
• College View
• Common Application
• Peterson's

• NACAC-National Association for College Admission Counseling

• FAFSA online
• Federal Student Aid
• Funding Your Education (US Department of Education)
• Student Guide - Financial Aid (US Department of Education)

Sample Scenarios for Using CollegeSource

To help understand ways you can use CollegeSource, below are two library user-library reference staff scenarios, showing a question and answer, using CollegeSource. During the class, these scenes were done as role play.

1. "I heard about this college in Los Angeles, and I wanted to know what kind of courses they offer, and if it's expensive."
   Solution: Through a reference interview, it was determined that the library user had heard about Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA. The library staff member used CollegeSource to find the basic profile for Occidental College. It contained the location, degree programs, and prices for tuition and fees. Occidental College Profile.
   
   
2. "I have a degree in education, and was wondering what I need to do to obtain my teacher's certification in California."
   Solution: The library staff member briefed the library user on California's approach to teacher certification. A link on the CollegeSource Web site was used to show the library user the site for the California Department of Education. In addition, the local major university specializing in teacher education, San Diego State University, was explored with the library user, showing them the College of Education and information about teacher credentials.

Selected References, College Resources, Central Library

All of the below are reference or circulating books, available for use in the Social Sciences Section, 3rd Floor, Central Library. The links below link to the Library Catalog record for each item.

The College Board College Handbook 2003
R 378.1057/ COLLEGE New York: College Board

Peterson's Two Year Colleges 2003
R 378.1543/ Peterson's Princeton, N.J. :Peterson's

Graduate & Professional Programs an Overview 2002
R 378.1553/ Peterson's Princeton, N.J. : Peterson's

Index of Majors & Graduate Degrees 2003
R 378.73/ INDEX New York: College Board

Occupational Outlook Handbook 2002-2003
371.425/ OCCUPATIONAL Washington DC: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Peterson's ACT Success
378.1664/ ACT Princeton, N.J. : Peterson's

Peterson's SAT Success
378.1662/ SAT