Faculty Resources: Information Literacy Instruction FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions - Library Instruction

What is library instruction?

Library instruction is a class session conducted by a librarian to help your students learn how to locate and interact with information in a meaningful way. The goal of library instruction is to nurture students' curiosity and build their awareness of the social and intellectual issues surrounding information. We value any class time you sacrifice for the sake of library instruction - and we would love to work with you to make your library instruction session meaningful for your individual class of students.

What is information literacy?

The American Library Association defines information literacy as the ability "to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information... Ultimately, information literate people are those who have learned how to learn. They know how to learn because they know how knowledge is organized, how to find information, and how to use information in such a way that others can learn from them. They are people prepared for lifelong learning, because they can always find the information needed for any task or decision at hand."

What kinds of classes should get library instruction?

Any kind of class can engage in library instruction, but classes focused on research, writing, or those with a major research project are especially suited to library instruction. If you're interested in library instruction but not sure how it fits into your class, contact a librarian! We'd be happy to discuss how to best integrate library instruction into your class.

Is library instruction Synchronous or Asynchronous? Is it online or in-person?

Either! We tailor library instruction to you and your specific class. Teaching an 8-week online asynchronous course where students are expected to do academic research? We will work with you to create video tutorials, worksheets, or step by step guides to research at the library, as well as provide ways for your students to get individualized help when they need it. We can provide instruction for any class, whether it's synchronous or asynchronous, online or in-person at any of our campus centers.

How do I schedule library instruction?

To request instruction, fill out an instruction request form.