Library Toolkit: Library Instruction - Faculty

This poll was adapted from one on Butler Library's Faculty Guide (CC BY)

Get Your Class on Our Calendar

Fill out our form,
or send email to library@atlanticcape.edu
or contact any of our professional librarians.

Want to Discuss Plans for a Session?

Leslie Murtha
Reference and Instruction Librarian
609-343-4952
LMurtha@atlanticcape.edu
OR
send email to Library@atlanticcape.edu
OR
reach out to any of our professional librarians.

Request a Tutoring Orientation Session

Start your students off right! Schedule a session to introduce them to tutoring at Atlantic Cape. Research indicates that students who participate in the tutoring programs increase their academic success. Sessions are 20-30 minutes long, and are usually held in your classroom. For information or to schedule a session, contact Mike Sargente.

Most classes can benefit from one or more library instruction sessions.  Most students who are new to college are not familiar with academic libraries and their resources, and need structured instruction to build their research and information use skills over time. If your students will be using the library's Reserve Collection for their textbooks, or if you have chosen textbooks or readings from the library's databases, you might want to schedule an short session to introduce them to these tools. If you are planning a research assignment, or expect your students to use sources beyond the textbook for their work, they will need help navigating the library's databases, and learning to plan a project and search strategically. If you weave current events into your discussions, the library can help your students to understand different types of news sources.

The more opportunities students have to practice their skills and apply them to new areas, the more proficient they will become. Teaching a developmental class? That's great! Help us to scaffold learning by starting small. Not all assignments involving library and research skills need to be big ones.

• Place your request at least 1-2 weeks in advance. Teaching sessions for faculty are high-priority, but they do require preparation for your specific needs.
• Please give us your preferred date(s) and some possible alternates. Placing your requests early in the semester raises the probability of getting your preferred date(s).
• Consider the timing of your assignment when selecting dates. See the information below on the best time to schedule a session.
• Please share your assignment or exercise with us. We need details in order to plan a productive session.
• Please tell your students about the research project or in-class exercise at least one class session before the library session. Learning about a research assignment on the day of the library session has a serious negative impact on learning.
• Please plan to attend the session, and participate. Students learn more if we work as a team to facilitate the lessons. Please do not schedule the session for a time when you have other plans. Librarians cannot serve as substitutes for faculty.
• If a student in your class requires accommodations, please let us know as soon as possible. We may need to arrange equipment set-up, or supply the student with slides and handouts in advance of the session.