Library Instruction
Mission
The mission of the Library Instruction program is to provide instruction to students, faculty and staff to assist in educating the community in searching, locating, evaluating, using and valuing informational resources.
Objectives
- To introduce first year students (freshman, transfer students, graduate students) to the library and its resources through orientation classes, especially Freshman Seminar.
- To provide instruction in conducting research through Research Strategies I and II classes.
- To provide instruction for conducting research in specific disciplines as requested.
- To provide classes in plagiarism and citation styles to support instruction in the research process.
- To offer one-on-one instructional sessions as requested.
Policies
Eligibility for Instruction
- WSSU students, faculty and staff are eligible for library instruction.
- Other groups within and outside the university may also request instruction including high school classes.
Types of Instruction
Instruction may be scheduled by group.
- Instructional Sessions
- Orientation
- Library Orientation is provided to new students who enter the university. Basic information about the library's resources and services are presented including general policies, the online catalog and electronic resources.
- Research Strategies I
- Research Strategies I is recommended for students who need instruction in using the online catalog and electronic databases for specific classroom assignments.
- Research Strategies II
- Research Strategies II is designed to assist students in understanding the research process. The beginning steps of topic development to evaluation of the final product are discussed.
- Subject Specific Instruction
- Subject specific instruction is available upon request and includes discussion of the professional literature within a specific discipline, print and online.
- Other Instruction
- Citation styles (MLA and APA) and the subject of plagiarism are available upon request.
- Orientation
- Instruction may also be individual or in small groups by appointment conducted in a librarian's office or at the Reference desk.
Scheduling
- Instruction can be customized to meet the needs and skill level of students.
- Faculty requesting classes will be accommodated on the basis of room availability and librarian schedule.
- Faculty members should contact the Library Instruction Coordinator by phone or email to schedule classes.
- Faculty will receive an email confirming their scheduled time and date.
- In the case of individuals who want to request individual instruction, it can be done through the Library Instruction Coordinator or directly with a librarian.
