Library Instruction
Learn about the Library
Watkins librarians provide formal and informal instruction each semester to faculty and students. The topics covered range from basic library and database tutorials to classroom instruction sessions targeted to specific assignments.
Walk-ins are welcome and any of our library staff can provide some basic instruction, however, appointments are encouraged.
Faculty
Schedule library Instruction sessions for Freshman English classes (fall semester), Art History (spring semester) and Critical Writing using the library class request form.
Library Instruction or Information Literacy classes (15-50 minutes)
Working with the instructor, your librarian will tailor sessions to support course objectives, complement your syllabus and/or prepare students for a written or studio research assignment. Librarians will come to any classroom or will book a writing lab so all students have access to a computer.
• Research process & approaches to managing information
• Finding books - searching the library’s online catalog
• Finding articles – using our online databases
• Finding images – electronic & print image searching
• Evaluating information - thinking critically about print & web sources
• Citing sources & avoiding plagiarism
• Group exercises to gain experience using library resources
• 15 minute sessions focused on 1-2 resources such as Artstor, WilsonWeb, JSTOR, etc.
Embedded Librarians… . Beginning Fall 2010: Senior Thesis instructors are welcome to partner with a librarian. Librarians will work with selected students throughout the semester to complete the senior theses and projects. Talk to the Library Director to schedule meetings.
These individual research appointments (20-45 minutes) with a Watkins librarian involve working with the instructor or individual student in order to provide guided research assistance.
• Identifying print and electronic resources useful for specific classes
• Identifying materials related to specific assignments, degree projects or thesis work
• Identifying materials beyond local collections; facilitating Interlibrary Loan requests