Librarians can provide library instruction sessions in-person and virtually. We collaborate with instructors to tailor sessions to the assignment at hand to introduce students to effective strategies and sources for conducting library research. To supplement instruction, we may also make an online course research guide containing resources and strategies relevant to the course and assignment.

Instruction can be for a single or multiple linked sessions and can cover introductory to advanced levels, including (but not limited to):

• Information literacy fundamentals: choosing a research subject, evaluating sources, conceptualizing the research process, etc.
• Introductory and advanced catalog and database search strategies
• Google and Google Scholar searching (including advanced Google search techniques)
• Using reference management software (Zotero - a free tool)
• Citation

To ensure quality instruction, we kindly ask that you review the following guidelines before requesting an instruction session with a librarian.

• We encourage you to submit your request as early as possible in the semester and at least two weeks in advance to ensure staff availability and quality instruction.
• When making an instruction request, include a copy of the assignment students will be working on at the time of instruction. We will then coordinate with you to tailor a session that emphasizes the skills students need to succeed in that assignment. If you don’t have one yet, we can help you design a library research assignment given enough advanced notice. Along with a copy of the assignment, it is also useful for us to know
• the purpose and scope of the paper/assignment
• the number and types of sources to be used (articles, books, peer-reviewed, popular, etc.)
• sample topics
• whether students will have a topic selected at the time of instruction
• whether topic exploration/generation through initial research should be part of instruction
• The instruction session should be timed appropriately to the assignment due date.
• Instructor must be present at the time of instruction. Instructor participation dramatically enhances the student learning experience.

Request a Library Instruction Session