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Library Research Skills Instruction

What types of research skills instruction do we offer?
How do you schedule a library session?
How can you help make the library session more effective?
How long does a library session last?
Are the library teaching facilities available for my class?

What types of research skills instruction do we offer?

Course Integrated Instruction

Librarians do presentations and hands-on sessions in the library classroom at the request of faculty tailored to meet the needs of a particular class. Instruction sessions cover such topics as finding scholarly material and developing effective search strategies and acquaint students with the wide variety of resources and research methodologies relevant to their disciplines. We are also available to work with faculty to help design research assignments that take into account the goals of the course and the level of knowledge of the students.

Small Group Sessions

Librarians schedule meetings with smaller groups working on group projects or similar topics at the request of faculty or students or librarians may suggest followup meetings when they talk to the larger class group.

Research Consultations and Reference Desk Help

We help students at the Reference Desk and also meet individually with students to give them more in-depth help on papers and projects.  See Ask a Librarian.

Research Guides

Reference librarians will work with you to prepare online research guides on a particular subject or for a particular course. These guides can be linked to a class Blackboard site.  Contact Kathy Kurosman (kakurosman@vassar.edu), Reference (reference@vassar.edu), or your librarian liaison if you would like an online research guide.  To see examples of guides we have done, see Help By Subject.

Special Workshops

Workshops on special topics such as "Using RefWorks" or "Finding Government Documents."  Usually held late in the afternoon or early evening.  Upcoming workshops will be listed on the library home page under "Announcements."

Classes in Archives and Special Collections

Each semester faculty from a variety of departments and programs bring their classes to Archives and Special Collections. These visits provide an opportunity for students to interact with some of the college's most treasured sources, and to learn how to use primary works (rare books, manuscripts, and archives) in their research. Because of the extensive holding in Archives and Special Collections, classes can be offered on a wide range of topics. Library staff can retrieve relevant materials for classes, and are also available to give lectures to classes. To arrange for a visit, or to discuss classroom possibilities, contact Ron Patkus at extension 5798, or email patkus@vassar.edu.

How do you schedule a library session?

To request an instruction session, contact Kathy Kurosman, Head of Library Instruction, ex. 5789 (e-mail: kakurosman@vassar.edu) or e-mail reference@vassar.edu.

You may also contact any of the other reference librarians directly or check the list of Librarian Liaisons to find the librarian assigned to your department or program:

• Barbara Durniak (5767) or badurniak@vassar.edu
• Flora Grabowska (5788) or flgrabowska@vassar.edu
• Gretchen Lieb (5770) or grlieb@vassar.edu
• Carol Lynn Marshall (7659) or camarshall@vassar.edu

Please schedule library sessions at least two weeks in advance.

How can you help make the library session more effective?

• Discuss the paper or project with the class before the scheduled session.
• Schedule the session close enough to an assignment or project's due date that there is a connection between what students learn in the instruction session and its immediate application.
• Attend the library session with your students! You are the best one to answer questions about the assignment and how the resources can help them. Students are usually more attentive when a faculty member is present and participates in the discussion.

How long does a library session last?

We usually ask for a full class period. Most of our classes included hands-on activities which require more time than simple demonstrations but lead to greater student learning.

Are the library teaching facilities available for my class?

The classroom and seminar room are available for other uses when not being used for library instruction. For more information about use of the library classroom, see Guidelines for Use of Library Teaching Facilities.