• how to navigate the Library web pages
  

• how to use the Library catalog
  

• how to use the Library databases
  

• how to use Electronic Reserves
  

• how to differentiate between scholarly journals, popular magazines and trade publications
  

• how to come up with synonyms and keywords for a search
  

• how to combine or exclude elements from a search
  

• how to create a comprehensive search strategy that includes reference and circulation books, primary sources (when applicable), on-line catalogs, databases and search engines
  

• how to limit a search to research, studies or experiments
  

• how to narrow or broaden research topics
  

• how to critically evaluate the information they've acquired (especially Internet sources)
  

• how to properly cite the information they've acquired

The Library is committed to the development of information literacy skills within the Eastern community as an integral element of the Liberal Arts Core Curriculum. With this goal in mind, we offer information literacy instruction in the Library, throughout campus, and at off-campus sites.

Guidelines for Requesting Information Literacy Instruction

1. Lead time

• Librarians will provide, on short notice, a brief walk-through of the Library; this may be useful to classes which only need to know the general layout of the Library and do not require a complete orientation.

• Generic Information Literacy Instruction (i.e. not course specific) requires one-week notice.

• With sufficient notice (two-four weeks), we can tailor an in-depth instruction session to your curriculum.

2. Faculty collaboration

Faculty members need to be present during Information Literacy Instruction to:

• provide definitive answers to questions specific to content or assignment requirements.

• assist the librarian with students needing redirection or individual assistance.

• reinforce that the session is integral to the course.

• keep abreast of what their students are learning.
  

We have found that the presence and participation of their regular instructor help to keep students attentive and engaged in the presentation.

Assume Minimal Library Knowledge
Although many students are familiar with using some library tools (e.g., dictionaries, thesauri, the author/title portion of the catalog, Academic Search Premier), few really understand subject headings and most have never used the periodical indexes/abstracts or our extensive collection of electronic resources/databases.

Approximate Time Frames
Depending on the type of instruction your students need, the following time estimates are provided:

Accessing Information

Smith Library research (50-90 minutes)

How to find a book (15 minutes)

How to find a journal article (30 minutes)

Library tour (20 minutes)

Using the Internet for research (30-60 minutes)

Critical Thinking          

Evaluating Internet sources (30-50 minutes)

Annotated Bibliographies (15 minutes)

Scholarly vs. Popular Journals (15 minutes)

How to Broaden/Narrow Your Topic (15 minutes)

To schedule an ILI session, please contact Susan Herzog, Janice Wilson, orCarol Reichardt:

Page created and maintained by Susan Herzog
J. Eugene Smith Library
Eastern Connecticut State University
Template designed by Lynn Lampert
Last Update: May 6, 2009.