Built Environment Programs: Home

Select a tab in the Study Resources section to see how the library can help you be a successful student.

Note: During campus closures due to COVID-19, the library closed for device check-out. However, follow the procedures below to request a laptop from the College:

Go to https://valenciacollege.edu/laptop or call Enrollment Services at 407-299-5000, extension 1507.

Software guidebooks provided by the library:

Databases

Searchable collections of articles and other resources relevant to your discipline.

Journals & Magazines

Books provided by the library:

Books provided by the library:

Online resources for comparing and selecting construction products:

Books provided by the library:

Books provided by the library:

Books provided by the library:

Online resources to explore:

The following library database is recommended for researching careers:

Watch the following video for instructions on how to use Ferguson's Career Guidance Center.

The following books are available from the Library:

Use the following book as a reference for writing specifications.

The following web-based style guides are used throughout the construction industry.

Plagiarism is  often unintentional and can be avoided by citing correctly and understanding what is plagiarism, and what is not.

The following video is recommended for students who have not used a formal citation style before.

PowerPoint

Public Speaking

Sample Presentations

At West Campus, Course Reserves are held at the Library Check-Out Desk (1st floor). Varying check-out periods are available at your request. For example, items may check out for two hours, one day or several days. To place your materials on Reserve, fill out a Course Reserves Material Form. Print out the completed form and bring it, along with your materials, to the Library Check-Out Desk (1st floor). If you would like to place circulating library materials temporarily on Reserve for a class, please contact your division librarian liaison. 

Textbooks

Please consider placing your course textbook on Reserve. This is a valuable service for students!

Not Just Books

The Reserves collection includes materials for hands-on learning such as devices, models and more! Is there an item you'd like to make accessible to students? Talk with us about placing it on Reserve.

Open Educational Resources

Library Materials as Alternative Textbooks

While not technically OER, library materials are cost effective for students. The following collections may contain suitable resources:

Link to Library Resources in Canvas

The following tutorials will demonstrate how to create links to library resources within your Canvas course that do not require students to log in:

Library instruction sessions are customized to the course or assignment and focus on information literacy skills and concepts. As defined by Valencia, information literacy is the ability to "find, evaluate and effectively use information from diverse sources."

Is library instruction applicable to the technology and engineering disciplines?

Absolutely! Here are some of the relevant topics a library instruction session might address:

• Locating support materials in the library and online. A session introducing students to library materials pertaining to their field of study.
• Avoiding plagiarism. A session defining plagiarism in its various forms and helping students to paraphrase or use images appropriately. 
• Effectively communicating information. A session on presenting data in a digestible way. Students may develop infographics or posters.

To request new materials to be purchased for the libraries, please fill out our New Library Materials Request Form.

Partner with us! The library would love to be a venue for:

• Student presentations 
• Guest speaker events
• Workshops / Skillshops
• Displaying student work

We can help!

• Promote your course or program
• Promote your event