The purpose of the Library Instruction program is to integrate information literacy into the university’s academic program so students and faculty are able to locate, evaluate and use information ethically.
Objectives
To introduce first year students (freshman, transfer students, graduate students) to the library and its resources through orientation classes, especially Freshman Seminar.
To provide instruction in conducting research through Research Strategies I and II classes.
To provide instruction for conducting research in specific disciplines as requested.
To provide classes in plagiarism and citation styles to support instruction in the research process.
To provide classes on web evaluation to promote understanding of use of search engines and the free web in the research process.
To offer one-on-one instructional sessions as requested.
Eligibility for Instruction
WSSU students, faculty and staff are eligible for library instruction.
Other groups within and outside the university may also request instruction including high school classes.
Types of Instruction
Instruction may be scheduled by group.
Instructional Sessions
Orientation
Library Orientation is provided to new students who enter the university. Basic information about the library’s resources and services are presented including general policies, the online catalog and electronic resources.
Research Strategies I
Research Strategies I is recommended for students who need instruction in using the online catalog and electronic databases for specific classroom assignments.
Research Strategies II
Research Strategies II is designed to assist students in understanding the research process. The beginning steps of topic development to evaluation of the final product are taught.
Subject Specific Instruction
Subject specific instruction is available upon request and includes discussion of the professional literature within a specific discipline, print and online.
Other Instruction
Citation styles (MLA and APA) and the subject of plagiarism are available upon request.
Web evaluation is available upon request and includes criteria for the evaluation of the credibility of websites.
Instruction may also be individual or in small groups by appointment conducted in a librarian’s office or at the Reference desk.
Scheduling
Instruction can be customized to meet the needs and skill level of students.
Faculty requesting classes will be accommodated on the basis of room availability and librarian schedule.
Faculty members should contact the Library Instruction Coordinator by phone or email to schedule classes.
Faculty will receive an email confirming their scheduled time and date.
In the case of individuals who want to request individual instruction, it can be done through the Library Instruction Coordinator or directly with a librarian.
Policies and Procedures
Classes larger than 25 will be split into 2 classes and taught in separate classrooms.
Assignments
Classes will be assigned to the librarian with the most expertise in the discipline.
All librarians will be assigned Freshman Seminar classes.
Librarians should contact the instructor by phone or email to request additional information needed to conduct the class.
Assignments are emailed to librarians and posted on SharePoint.
Classroom
Room 318W is reserved for library instruction.
Library instruction classrooms are reserved for classes taught by librarians.
First Year College may reserve 318W during their testing periods.
Equipment
Librarians are responsible for the equipment used during their class sessions.
Librarians can receive Instruction on using the equipment from the Instruction Technical Assistant.
Room Set Up
It is the responsibility of the Instruction Technical Assistant to set up the classrooms for library instruction and check the classrooms when instruction has ended.
Library Instruction Committee
The library instruction committee consists of teaching librarians and the Instruction Technical Assistant.
The committee identifies needs and undertakes projects to ensure the continued effectiveness of the library instruction program.
The committee meets once a month under the direction of the Library Instruction Coordinator.
Maintaining Statistics and Evaluations/Assessments
Instruction librarians are expected to:
Count and record the number of students attending each class session they teach.
Record this information in Desk Tracker at the end of each class.
Require students to complete an online evaluation for each class.
Require students to complete an assessment for designated classes.
Location of Classes
Library instruction classrooms are located in Rooms 318W and 127.
Room 318W has 22 PCs.
25 wireless laptops can be set up in Room 127.
Evaluation of Instruction
Instructors will be evaluated by peers and by the Instruction Coordinator using a variety of methods