Sandra Candelas

Child Dev 143-Hunter

June 20, 2014
Thomas J. Kelly Memorial Library

During my visit to the Thomas J. Kelly Memorial Library on June 19, 2014, I was able to
have an overall understanding of the librarys system. Thanks to Mrs. Annette Alvarado, I
understand how to use the librarys online system. The head librarian is Mrs. Siew- Ben and their
main number to be reached at is 1(773)838-7667 or 1(773)838-7668. The library also has a
website where students can check out the online catalog for book availability on campus
(www.library.ccc.edu).
The library is located at the Richard Daley College campus at 7500 S. Pulaski Rd. Inside
the library, there are many computers available for students to work in and the back portion of
the library is the librarys book selection. Mrs. Annette Alvarado, one of the librarians, was very
helpful guiding me with the overall library system. She taught me how to use the online catalog
of the library as well as how to use database. She stated that books can also be ordered from
other campuses and I would be able to pick them up on campus.
Using the online catalog was easy, one can type any search and it narrows it down to a
specific selection. On the other hand, looking for the books physically was a bit challenging for
me. The books are in call numbers which can be time consuming to find. Books are grouped by
alphabet and numbers, which can get a little too confusing. While I was at the library, I looked
for books that gave me more of an insight in teaching Math and Science for young children.
Therefore, my time at the library was well spent since learning has always been rewarding for
me.
I do like the librarys selection of early childhood education; it has a variety of works on
teaching young children. The classification system of the library has specific areas of curriculum
such as Psychology, Math, English, and Political Science and there is a particular one for early
childhood education. This particular section encompasses everything that has to do with theory
and practice of education. There are books to select, starting with child development, how to
incorporate visual arts in the early childhood curriculum, language arts in early education and
cross cultural perspectives in teaching. One of the books I checked out was based on Vygotskys
theory of ZPD, Scaffolding Childrens Learning: Vygotsky and Early Childhood Education. This
book talks about how to scaffold for young children when working in activities and about his
theory.
The library has a variety of books, but I think that there should be at least two of every
kind since students may want to get the same book. Maybe having a little more of the same could
be helpful and there should also be a book section for children. As early childhood education
students, we are supposed to be exposed to selecting developmentally- appropriate books for
young children that encompass all areas of development. What better place than our college to be
exposed to these books for children.
Finally, my overall experience at the library was rewarding because not only did I gain
more knowledge but I would consider utilizing it more with the fact that I can get scholarly
articles in the databases. I can search for more reliable sources for research papers and be assured
of their accuracy. Furthermore, I found out that I can actually rent and take out text books which
is great. I also like their selection of books that cover just about every topic there is in early
childhood education. The only thing that I would change is the quantity of books and the fact that
there arent any children books in the library for teachers to practice with.