University Libraries’ Instructional Services Program Reaches Across Ball State Campus with Research Strategies and Tools

During February 2010, the University Libraries’ Information Services librarians conducted 129 instructional sessions that reached 2,377 students. These sessions are presented in academic partnership with classroom faculty. Librarians discuss the faculty member’s instructional objectives and then prepare a presentation specifically tailored to the assignment.

Of these 129 sessions, 69 were provided for core composition classes, and 48 were presented to undergraduate and graduate classes in a variety of academic disciplines. The remaining sessions were presentations to visiting high school groups and workshops on topics like thesis research, EndNote application usage, career research, and advanced Google usage.

Librarians teach students how to access peer-reviewed articles through subscription databases that access thousands of journal and magazine subscriptions not available freely on the Web. They also explain how to explore topics using library resources, find background information, track down statistical data, evaluate what one finds on the Web, and effectively use the right research tool for the task at hand. Frequently, instructors will inform the librarians, at the conclusion of the presentation, that they, too, learned something new. The focus of this instruction is to expand the student’s knowledge well beyond Google.

Library instruction also consists of hands-on time. After the librarian’s presentation, students have the chance to work on the topics for their research assignments while the librarian remains available in the room to answer questions and help guide individualized research endeavors.