The Instructional Design Librarian works with faculty to develop instruction sessions focused on students' information literacy needs. Sessions can be structured as intensive workshops focused on a specific research task or can provide a broad overview of library resources and services. The Instruction Menu on this page suggests topics that may be addressed in an instruction session, though faculty are encouraged to contact the Instructional Design Librarian directly to develop a customized instructional plan. The "specials" listed are popular combinations of topics that may expedite the planning process.
Faculty interested in improving their students information literacy skills but unable to schedule an instruction session are encouraged to consider the helpful videos and interactive tutorials available on our Tutorials Library Guide.
Topic |
Estimated Time |
Standard Introduction & Conclusion (required in all first-time sessions)
|
5 minutes |
Basic Library Information and Overview of Services
|
5 minutes |
Developing a Search Strategy
|
10 minutes |
Library Catalog Basics
|
10 minutes |
Source Types
|
10-15 minutes |
Basic Database Searching* (using the library’s discovery tools)
|
25-30 minutes
|
Advanced Database Searching* quick recap of the points in Basic Database Searching (above), plus:
|
30 minutes, add 10 minutes for each database you’d like covered |
Advanced Googling*
|
15-30 minutes (depending on the number of services/tools addressed) |
Evaluating Sources*
|
30-35 minutes |
Citation*
|
25 minutes, add ten minutes for each additional style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) |
*All modules marked with an asterisk* work best when students can participate in interactive activities requiring computer and network access. Analog/lecture versions of these modules are possible, but they’re nowhere near as engaging or productive.
“The Blue Plate Special”
(a basic 50 minute session for a lower-level class with a pending research paper)
“The Deluxe Platter”
(a 75 minute session for upper-division students with prior library instruction)
“The Short Stack”
(a 50 minute session for new students not yet working on a research-intensive assignment)
Use this form to request information literacy sessions for your classes or reach to Freya Gibbon, at gibbonfs@cobleskill.edu (x5858).
Library Instruction sessions tend to work best when: