Reference and Instruction Librarians teach students how to find and evaluate information and library resources. We are guided in our work by the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education from the Association of College and Research Library (ACRL). Information literacy fits into the learning outcomes of Argument & Inquiry seminars and the college’s learning goals. It includes:
- Collecting and analyzing evidence
- Synthesizing information
- Communicating effectively
Please get in touch with your librarian
You do not need to have a plan in mind to contact your librarian. We love to collaborate during the planning stages to consider how library instruction might advance your learning goals. If you realize at the last minute that library instruction would be helpful, please still reach out to us, we can usually figure out some way to support your class.
Some options for your course and your students
One-time instruction: A librarian visits with your class in the library computer lab or your classroom. We work with students at any point in their Carleton career, from their A&I to Comps. The librarian introduces relevant resources and teaches students how to choose search tools, find and evaluate information, and use information ethically and effectively.
The length of time that these sessions run is variable, and can be tailored to meet your needs.
Some options include:
- A short meet & greet with your librarian, and introduction to or refresher on library research.
- A deeper dive into information literacy such as: tips & tricks of specific databases, a meta look at library resources, discussion of scholarly communication and/or the research publication process, citation management instruction, or instruction related to finding data.
- An open working session with the librarian on hand to help at point of need.
- In-class instruction led by a librarian
- Course-specific research guides
- Targeted video instruction
- Intentional use of the Research/IT Desk
- Group or individual consultations with librarians
- …and many other important skills
Multiple instruction sessions: Resources and skills are covered in depth, and students begin their research with librarian assistance.
Consultations: You may recommend or require student consultations with a librarian. Librarians give one-on-one or small group instruction to students. During these, librarians teach students how to approach their research question and use specific resources.
- Please have a conversation with your librarian before assigning all of your students to meet with us. We want to make sure we are not already committed to another class that week.
Course Research Guides: Your librarian will create a customized guide that highlights the library’s resources and/or research strategies for your course or subject area (view examples of past guides).
Comps: Librarians support the comps process in a variety of ways, depending on the department and the students’ needs. This support ranges from individual consultations with students, through course-integrated instruction for junior and/or senior seminars, to curricular discussions with departments as a whole.