As the library instruction coordinator, it's my job to deliver library, also known as bibliographic, instruction. Traditionally, it involved a general presentation directing students to the card catalog and print indexes and giving an overview of appropriate print sources that met their research requirements. As they made their appearance in the library setting, electronic resources were included. Instructors call me to schedule appointments, discuss specific assignments and the appropriate information that will fulfill requirements for the particular courses. Then, it's up to me to design the presentation.
Presentations show how to use various databases that meet immediate student informational needs.
At the same time, they teach basic search strategies that enable them to successfully retrieve information whether they're researching the library's specialized indexes or the general Internet search engines available on the Web. Because Lynn Library primarily delivers and links Web versions of information databases, Internet training is now an important component of every library orientation. Other First Search databases, PubMed and Carl Uncover provide citations and abstracts that may be located in the Lynn Library, within the Harrington Library Consortium, or through the LLLC's own interlibrary loan service. Internet training and mastery of research strategies for electronic databases are necessities in today's technological world. A primary goal of AC's Lynn Library bibliographic instruction program is teaching the necessary skills to help students with their immediate research needs - as well as for a lifetime of learning.