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Library Instruction

While working with students at the Reference Desk, librarians have the opportunity to observe how they approach the research process and the successes and pitfalls they experience as they attempt to do research in the library.

Students, even juniors and seniors, often do not know how the library is organized, what the online catalog is, how to use it, what an index is, what periodicals are, that the library subscribes to research databases, or how to use a database. They often believe that all of the information they need can be found on the Internet.

Librarians work with students one-to-one to teach them research skills, but group instruction is more efficient, ensures that whole classes receive the same information, and reaches more students, including those who never ask questions at the Reference Desk. It also provides the student the opportunity to practice with library resources in the presence of a librarian and receive immediate feedback.

Possible topics that can be covered during library instruction are:

  • the services and resources available in the library
  • how the library is organized and how to find library materials on the shelf
  • the advantages of reference sources
  • how to use the online catalog, research databases, and the Internet efficiently
  • the basic steps of the research process, including how to get started
  • how to choose and narrow a topic
  • how to think critically about information resources to facilitate choosing the most appropriate resources for the topic and recognizing resources of lesser quality
  • how to evaluate sources for authorship, accuracy, relevance, timeliness, etc.
  • what the Internet is and what it includes and does not include

Librarians can assist faculty by:

  • developing library instruction sessions for specific subject areas or classes
  • creating research guides to support a specific subject or class
  • designing library research assignments to teach specific research skills
  • offering individualized hands-on training on electronic resources in the faculty member's office

To schedule library instruction for your class/classes:

Contact a reference librarian at (413) 774-1509 at least one week prior to the instruction date. Preparation time is essential in order for the instruction to be tailored to your individual needs. The librarian will conduct a short informational interview with you in order to learn more about your course and your students.

With enough advance notice, a research guide can be developed specifically for your course or assignment and provided as an electronic document on the library website and/or as a paper handout.

It is recommended that you have your students complete the Virtual Tour of the library and the quiz prior to their visit. The purpose of the quiz is to reinforce the most important concepts taught by the tour.

Completing the tour in advance ensures that students have a basic understanding of the services and resources provided by the library so that they can concentrate on learning research skills during library instruction.