MAKING CONNECTIONS
LIBRARY INFORMATION FOR INSTRUCTORS

We believe that all students, particularly incoming freshmen, need to learn basic library skills to assist them in research for your class and all of their future classes. By bringing your class over to have us teach them the basics this will help them learn what we have to offer, how to use our vast array of resources, and for many make the library a less formidable place where they will be comfortable to come for help.

We have created a new library assignment that is geared more toward the current needs of freshmen and I strongly urge you to use it instead of any of the past assignments. Jill will be sending it to you or you may contact me for a copy at ldowning@astate.edu or 972-2495.

There are several things we need from instructors when scheduling library sessions to ensure the best possible experience for all involved:Please schedule your library class session(s) into your syllabus at the time you create it.

• Hand out and discuss the library assignment with your students before coming to the library for your class so they understand what you expect them to learn. This helps them better make sense of what we are teaching them and why.
   
• When you are creating your syllabus call one of the Reference Librarians listed below to schedule your session(s) immediately to ensure the best likelihood of getting the class time you want. We have a limited amount of Librarians and classrooms available and cannot guarantee your preferred day/time unless you schedule early.
   
• If you must schedule late, please try to give us at least one to two week's notice. This will not guarantee the day or time you would like, though.
   
• Make sure you come to the session(s) with your class. When the instructor is not present students have a tendency to view the library session as "blow-off" time and do not pay attention. We often discipline as much as teach when the instructor does not accompany the class.
• PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, do not send students to the library with the assignment without bringing them over for an instruction session first. This only creates incredible frustration for them causing the students to be more likely to turn to the web for their future research.
  

What we can teach in your library class are the following: (if your schedule permits, two sessions are most beneficial to the students)

• For one scheduled session:
  
  • A brief introduction to the library online catalog (how to find books & materials)
  • How to use one or two online databases (fairly general searching, not in-depth)
  • If time permits, basic evaluating websites
       
• For two scheduled sessions we can
  
  • Include a brief physical tour of the library (if desired)
    
  • Spend more time with the online catalog (which will have a new student-friendly search format and style as well as the classic version)
    
  • More in-depth time with the primary databases and/or other specialized databases
    
  • Expand evaluation of websites and go into Google Scholar, etc.

To schedule a library class please contact any of the Reference Librarians listed below. If you have a preference, please feel free to contact that person, otherwise any of us will be happy to help you. You may also call the Research and Information Desk @ 972-3208 and you will be connected with a Librarian.

Robin Payne, Coordinator of Instruction; rpayne@astate.edu 972-3346
 
Laura Downing, Head of Reference; ldowning@astate.edu 972-2495
 
Dominique Hallett, Reference & Instruction Librarian; dhallett@astate.edu 972-2962
 
James Foreman, Reference & Instruction Librarian; jforeman@astate.edu 972-3293
 
Robert Robinette, Reference & Instruction Librarian; rrobinette@astate.edu 972-2568
 
April Sheppard, Documents Librarian (and Instruction); asheppard@astate.edu 972-2766

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