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Library Instructional Services

This guide will provide information on the Library's Instructional Services Team, examples of collaborations with faculty, and how to partner with the team.

Modes of Instruction & Examples

Person writing arrows on a Blackboard; Text says, "What can library instruction look like?"

During Live/Synchronous instruction sessions, a librarian will present to students during your class time (or an agreed upon time) either in your course classroom or on Zoom. 

Live sessions can include: 

  • A presentation of slides
  • An interactive activity where students may work in groups or add to a group document (such as Padlet) 
  • Using Zoom breakout rooms
  • Using Zoom chat 
  • A combination of activities depending on your assignment and learning goals

For Non-Live or Asynchronous instruction, a librarian will create materials tailored to a research assignment so they can be assigned for students to complete on their own time.

Faculty and the librarian can decide on an appropriate timeframe for delivery of the materials and a due date for students (although not always required). The librarian can provide feedback to the faculty member and students on their responses to the materials. 

Asynchronous materials can include: 

  • An instructional slide desk
  • Video(s)
  • A form for students to complete and submit (Example Form) 
  • A collaborative document for students to contribute to (such as an annotated bibliography)

Library Research Guides can be created on any topic, including specific courses or assignments. 

The librarian and faculty can collaborate to create a Research Guide that:

  • Provides sources for students to use for research
  • Contextualizes the research component & goals of the assignment
  • Can provide searching strategies and skills instruction
  • Directs students to get help as they research 

Examples: 

Instruction librarians can meet with students either in person or on Zoom to discuss their research one-on-one. 

Research consultations can be:

  • Considered library instruction or be an extra credit opportunity for students
  • Structured in which students must come prepared or more casual conversations 
  • An easy way to fit instruction into a course schedule if class time isn't available

We are open to creating a variety of learning opportunities! See the "Instruction in Your Discipline" tab on the left to see examples of materials our librarians have created. 

If you have a specific class activity or set of learning outcomes that you would like to create, reach out to our department and an instructional services librarian can discuss options for collaboration.

What could our support look like?

Hands typing on a laptop and the words say "Modes & Timelines for Instruction"

While our instruction is highly customizable to faculty and student needs, there is a blueprint that we have found to be the most productive and successful. 

Start of collaboration:

  • Requests should be received at least 2 weeks before the proposed instruction will take place. 
  • The Librarian and Professor should meet or exchange emails about the assignment, desired learning outcomes and potential activities or learning methods. This allows the librarian to tailor instruction to your course research assignment.

Synchronous Instruction:

  • All presentations can take place in person or virtually, depending on the course modality, or what works best for the faculty and students. Any research projects should already be introduced to students. 
  • Optional Intro Session - The Librarian can spend about 10 - 15 minutes discussing the upcoming activity, picking a topic, answer library questions, and build rapport with the students.
  • Instruction Session - This visit can be as long as needed to accomplish the learning goals. The librarian will present the materials and assessment discussed.  

Asynchronous Instruction:

  • The Librarian can share activity materials with students in the communication method that works for the course whether that is via email or the Classes LMS and will include a due date. Any research projects should already be introduced to students so they can focus on the learning and not asking assignment questions. 
  • Assessment results and student feedback will be sent to faculty and students in a predetermined timeframe, usually within a 1-3 days from the due date. 

Optional Consultations:

  • After the initial instruction, the Librarian can be available for one-on-one consultations with students. This should be a discussion during the initial collaboration period to set expectations.

Adding a Librarian to a course in Classes

  • Click on Tools and select the Classlist
  • Click Add Participants and then Add Existing User
  • Enter the username or name of the individual and click the magnifying glass.
  • Scroll down to select the checkbox next to the user
  • Scroll to the right to change the role to TA or Librarian and choose the course name from the dropdown list
  • Click Enroll Selected Users