The College Libraries comprehensive instruction program is designed to improve students' research, metaliteracy, and digital literacy skills by incorporating information literacy instruction in the classroom. Librarians and archivists work closely with faculty to develop lessons that integrate with course assignments and SLOs.
Library instruction takes place during your scheduled class session, either in a library classroom or in your regular classroom. It can also take place online, synchronously or asynchronously. Sessions often include some combination of lecture/demonstration, discussion, or in-class research activities.
Library instruction sessions are one of the ways library faculty build presence with students. Students are encouraged to schedule research appointments with their librarian if they need additional research assistance, whether for your class project or for another course.
While library instruction can be incorporated into nearly all courses, the following examples describe some common types of instruction sessions.
A librarian or archivist is matched to each First Year Experience and ENGL 110 course. Your assigned librarian will reach out early in the semester to offer instruction. While scheduling library instruction is not required for FYE and ENGL 110, this can be a great way to introduce new students to the academic research process and establish expectations that students seek out and use high-quality information sources for their assignments.
Upper-level students can benefit from a session focused on discipline-specific resources and research strategies. These sessions may include learning about annotated bibliographies, in-depth database instruction, and advanced discussion of evaluating sources and using information ethically.
Archivists from Special Collections and the Avery Research Center teach sessions aimed at giving students the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively and efficiently find, interpret, and use archives, manuscripts, and other types of unique primary sources.
We live in a society where information and ideas are increasingly communicated in audiovisual formats. Communicating effectively through digital formats is a skill that can be developed in the classroom by incorporating elements such as podcasts, videos, infographics, and virtual reality. Librarians can help you develop digital literacy assignments and provide instruction and support for your students in completing these assignments.
Begin the process of arranging library instruction for your class by submitting this form.
Request SessionThe librarian for your discipline can be your main point of contact for all library needs.
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