In
class and at the Reference Desk we teach students:
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, or Carol Reichardt: