Library Instruction

The Library and Information Access at SDSU offers a wide range of instruction and tours, from basic orientation through highly specialized research guidance. Library instruction focuses on developing students' ability to think critically and effectively find the information they seek. Instruction sessions are designed to fit the specific needs, objectives, and timeframe of the course, and librarians work closely with the teaching faculty to develop the session.

Scheduling Sessions

Contact a subject specialist to arrange a session or use the Request a Library Session online form. To avoid scheduling conflicts, please request instruction sessions as far in advance as possible and at least two weeks prior to the class. Information we require includes:

• Number of students
• Level of students (lower or upper division undergraduate, graduate, staff, RA's, TA's, faculty, mix)
• Students with special needs
• Assignment related to the library instruction
• Examples of topics the students either are planning to research or might find interesting
• Course syllabus is helpful

Instructional Facilities

The Library has two electronic classrooms (LA-76 and LA-78) for library instruction located on the Lower Level (Basement) of the Library Addition.

Map of Library

Types of Services Offered

Course Specific Instruction

Librarians provide formal assignment specific instructional sessions to class groups. Sessions range from short introductions to multi-hour workshops depending on the needs of the professor. Specialized classes can occur over subsequent weeks to permit students to work between sessions. Library instruction is most effective when an assignment is affiliated with the session and instruction is close to the time when the students will be doing the research. Library instruction is more effective when teaching faculty are present.

Sample Topics for Library Instruction Sessions

• website evaluation/general resource evaluation
• Internet searching database searching (multidisciplinary and subject-specific)
• defining search strategy/analyzing a research problems
• developing a library research strategy/summary of the research process
• scholarly vs popular sources/classification schemes
• organization of literature/publication cycle
• Library catalog (PAC) document delivery (ILL, Circuit, Link, Uncover)
• finding statistics /researching companies/an employer
• searching for multimedia sources
• citing sources (eg. APA, MLA, Internet)/bibliographic citation managers (Reference Manager, EndNote)

Assignment Planning and Design

Librarians are available to meet with teaching faculty who are designing or revising library-related assignments. This collaboration helps to generate assignments which refer to the best possible sources, and also permits us make arrangements within the library to accommodate the needs of the assignment. Combining library instruction sessions with realistic assignments improves retention.

Research Guides and Course Support Pages

Guides for students beginning research on a topic are available at http://infoguides.sdsu.edu. Teaching faculty may request we create guides on specific topics. Contact your subject specialist.

Orientation Tours

A self-guided tour is available at the Information Desk in Reference Services on the 1st floor of the Library Addition.

For additional informaton contact:

Carolyn Baber
Library Instructional Services Coordinator
619-594-6990
cbaber AT mail DOT sdsu DOT edu