Library Services: Tips for Library Assignments

The Library staff will provide, on short notice, a brief walk-through of the Library; this may be useful to classes which only need to know only the general layout of the Library and do not require a complete orientation.

In-depth instruction will be developed for the needs of a particular class. Library instruction is most beneficial when it coincides with a classroom assignment. Advance notice is necessary in order for the staff to prepare the specialized materials that may be needed for such a presentation. Instructors are encouraged to schedule training sessions so that multiple classes do not try to use a small number of research terminals at the same time.

1. CONSULT WITH A REFERENCE LIBRARIAN BEFORE THE ASSIGNMENT
   Librarians will work with you to design an appropriate assignment that will achieve your course goals/objectives. Sending a copy to the Reference Assistant or Librarian will insure that the staff is ready to help your students when needed.
   
   
2. ASSUME MINIMAL LIBRARY KNOWLEDGE
   Although many students will be familiar with using some library tools (e.g., dictionaries, thesauri, the author/title portion of the catalog), few really understand subject headings or periodical indexes/abstracts; most have never used research journals, but only Time, Newsweek, and the like. Also, when suggesting specific sources, give complete citations for those sources and be sure the library holds them.
   
   
3. AVOID THE MOB SCENE
   Dozens of students using just one book, article or index, or looking for the same information usually leads to misplacement, loss or mutilation of materials. Give students a variety of topics and sources. Use the Reserve Desk as needed; use photocopies of "classic" articles if you can conform to fair-use practice.
   
   
4. PRESENT A REALISTIC PICTURE OF WHAT IS, AND WHAT IS NOT, ON THE WEB
   In general, refrain from encouraging students to use the Web as the only source for information. Students need to know that the databases to which libraries subscribe usually provide quality information that is much easier to find than the kind of hit-or-miss Web searching students often do. When the Web is the best or sole source for the kind of information you require, recommend specific sites, specific expert lists of links, or specific directories to help them find authoritative, timely and useful information.

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