Library Instruction

What is library instruction?

Library instruction is librarians teaching students, faculty, staff and other library users how to develop effective search strategies to find information. Librarians give instruction on how to use the library's catalog, how to use online databases, how to evaluate print resources, and how to formulate and, if necessary, change the search strategy to fulfill the information need.

Goals and Objectives of Library Instruction

Goals

• To increase user awareness of the library as the primary source of information to which students, faculty and staff may turn to for assistance with their information needs.
• To educate patrons and other library users on how to make the best use of library resources.
• To help users develop and recognize effective research skills and strategies.

Objectives

• Identify and utilize basic library services and equipment.
• Distinguish among several library formats, e.g. serials, books, microforms etc. and learn how to locate them.
• Recognize library classification systems (Library of Congress, SuDOC)
• Choose reference materials appropriate to the research need.
• Identify and effectively utilize online databases most appropriate to research needs.

Scheduling

The session can be conducted in the library, in an Internet-ready classroom or lab, or even in the classroom itself. To arrange a session, please call Lanee Dunlap at 460-1481 or e-mail her at dunlapl@uamont.edu.