Spotlight on Service: Curriculum Resources Center

Are you looking for a hands-on educational tool, a game that teaches and excites? Researching the latest curriculum standards? Need to word process a document, print it, and then rush to class? If so, the Curriculum Resources Center is your destination.

The Curriculum Resources Center (CRC), located on the 600 level of Blegen Library, is home to collections and services that support pre K-12 teachers and teacher education. The CRC’s print collections range from professional journals and books that explore pedagogy to popular children’s magazines that engage students of all ages. Other print materials of note include historic United States textbooks (titles dating to the 1800’s), English as a Second Language teaching resources, and NASA posters and literature.

The CRC is unique in that roughly one-third of its collection is non-print materials. Videos, games, kits, models, CD-ROMs, audio books, and puppets play a vital part in curriculum development for future teachers by bringing lessons and learning to life. This emphasis on hands-on learning is reflected in the robust mixed-media collection found at the CRC. The mixed media collection is shelved by topic so that future teachers can browse the collection and pick out the format they feel will most engage students on the topic they are exploring.

Computers continue to be a vital part of the library experience. They enable users to check the Libraries’ holdings via the Library Catalog, to search and view electronic resources such as full-text journals and the Department of Education Web pages, and prepare electronic portfolios. The CRC has a comfortable 18-seat Info Commons that allows students and faculty to utilize University Libraries’ wealth of electronic information and incorporate search results into their own research. The Info Commons computers are equipped with Internet access, an interactive CD-ROM suite covering topics such as language arts and professional education, and production software to create documents, Web sites, portfolios, and presentations. The CRC Info Commons can also be reserved for individual classes or workshops by the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH). The CRC Info Commons is maintained in collaboration with the CECH and supported with Information Technology and Instructional Equipment fees.

In addition to electronic production, students and faculty can create posters, games, and displays using the die-cuts, laminators, and color-poster makers available in the Info Commons. Supplies are available for purchase within the CRC so that a rush of inspiration will not be dashed by not having the right materials. The mini-supply store in the CRC stocks poster board, game pieces, magnetic tape, craft paper, diskettes, and much more.

As you can see, the CRC with its diverse collections, production facilities, and information resources is a destination not only for education students and faculty, but also for the entire university community. Visit the CRC Web site at <www.libraries.uc.edu/libraries/crc/index.html> for hours, announcements, and more information on collections and services. See you at the CRC!

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