Library Instruction

We are here to help your students learn to locate and evaluate information effectively. We encourage you to consult with us and to include plans for library research as you prepare your course syllabi each semester. To schedule a class, please fill out our Class Request form. To see if a classroom is currently in use, please use the Kiefer Room Availability or Top Floor Rooms Availability schedules. To provide feedback on an instruction session please use our Instruction Feedback Form; or, if appropriate, our APS Feedback Form.

Our instructional services include:

• Course-integrated Instruction
• Research Guides
• Research Advisory Assistance
• Tips for planning your research assignments
• Orientation for new faculty and staff
• Tours of the Library
• Research workshops

Course-integrated Instruction

The library faculty can arrange for in-class instruction tailored to the needs of your students. Classes may include any of the following:

• Using online catalogs
• Using periodical indexes
• Bibliographies and reference materials
• General library tours
• Search strategies
• Internet resources
• Evaluation of resources

They may be taught as:

• Hands-on classes in the library classroom, which is equipped with 30 computer workstations
• Hands-on classes in other computer labs on campus
• Individual assistance as needed in the library

To schedule a session: Call 395-2482 or register on the web using our Class Request Form.

Research Guides

Library handouts are available at the library and/or on the library web pages. Examples include:

• Off-campus access to online resources
• Basic searching tips for Academic Search Premier
• Library of Congress Classification system
• Finding Literary Criticism

Research Advisory Assistance

• Students may sign up for appointments with reference faculty for individual help with research papers or other projects.
• Reference Assistance is available throughout the year at the reference desk on the main floor of the library.

Tips for Planning Your Library Assignments

1. Design “applied” assignments.
2. Students will find the library assignments more meaningful if they use the retrieved information for a task related to topics covered in the course.
3. Teach research strategies where appropriate.
4. Students often do not have the research skills that experienced researchers have.
5. Provide students with resource lists.
6. List specific information sources or types of sources for a particular assignment so that students have a starting point. Remember that many of our scholarly articles are accessible through the Internet, but that they are not necessarily Internet resources.
7. Read our page entitled "Planning Tips for Library Assignments."

Workshops

Workshops may be scheduled at faculty's request to aid students, faculty and staff in learning how to use library resources.

• Introductory workshops cover basic searching skills for finding books and articles.
• Intermediate/Advanced workshops cover more advanced searching skills for subject-specific databases.
• Faculty/Staff workshops are usually scheduled between semesters and are intended to:
• Update faculty and staff on new developments in library resources
• Provide more individualized instruction
• Help develop more effective library assignments

If you would like to require attendance at a library workshop, librarians will provide an attendance record at the end of the session.

We look forward to working with you and your students.

Last Updated 11/14/2010