Coming to Your Class After consulting with you, librarians can provide course-related instruction based on student needs and course objectives. A typical presentation includes effective search strategies, a summary of the most important information resources in a given field, where to find these sources, how to evaluate information and other steps involved in successful research. Librarians can also discuss how to locate information in books, journals, videos, microforms, and manuscripts. Students in all disciplines benefit from improved research skills and a broader knowledge of resources. The librarians goals are to help your students become information literate and to feel comfortable both in using the library and in seeking help when they need it.
Many assignments given to students turn into frustrating or counter-productive exercises.
Students frequently turn to the Web for information and because they are unable to critically evaluate what they find, they incorporate spurious or poor quality information into their work. If the library tasks are too challenging, students end up relying on a librarian to do the digging. If too many students have an identical assignment, the students will compete for limited materials, and a well-intentioned assignment becomes an ordeal for the students as well as for the library staff. Librarians are very happy to consult with you about assignments. From their years of experience, they can recognize topics that are too narrow or too broad for students, and offer suggestions about alternative ideas.