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Library Instruction Classes

Library instruction is also known as “BI" from the phrase "Bibliographic Instruction". Although "bibliographic" referred to books, what librarians call BI now covers the many electronic resources and formats that are an important part of library research.

Tips for Getting More Out of Your Library Sessions:

Students do not retain general BI "overview" sessions very well. Library sessions should always relate to a particular assignment.
Students must feel that the session is a good use of their time. Scheduling a session too early or too late in a semester can be a problem.
Students must feel that you value the session. It's important to attend the library session with the students and to participate. For example:
- Feel free to correct anything that might conflict with your procedures.
- Suggest sample searches to the Librarian.
- Comment on or reinforce important facts.

Library Tours

Library tours are a good choice for FIRST CLASS or Study Skills classes, in which many students are new to the campus. This gives them an overview of what's there, and helps them feel comfortable asking questions. For other students, unless your students are going to work with a specific selection of books or equipment, tours are not a good idea. Some situations that may make a tour valuable:

If you will require students to use Book Review Index or Book Review Digest
If the students will need to learn how to use microfilm/microfiche
If the students will need to learn how to utilize the TLRC
If the students will need an introduction to the Archives

Support for Instructor-led Library Instruction

We understand that your class time is valuable. If you would like to cover library instruction yourself, you may prefer to request library handouts rather than have a librarian-led instruction session. Sandra Riggs creates handouts that are specifically tailored to your instructions, subject area or assignment. Here is an example of very specific research handout created for an assignment focusing on WWI poetry and poets.

Support for Online Classes

You can refer online students to our library page at http://www.campbellsville.edu/library/DistEd_online.asp. It will give them an idea of what resources are available to them in an online class or via long distance learning.
A more detailed guide to the process of accessing databases from off-campus is provided at http://www.campbellsville.edu/library/off_campus.asp. However, the login information is never published online, so you will need to provide it to your students. Ask any library employee for the login.
There are additional resources for students at the Louisville Education Center and Recife, Brazil.

Using the Library Classroom

Use of the Library classroom is scheduled through Connie Wilson, who in turn checks with Sandra Riggs' BI schedule. Please contact Connie Wilson for assistance.

For any of the resources mentioned, please contact Sandra Riggs, seriggs@campbellsville.edu and 5390 for assistance.

Updated: 21 August 2008 | S. Riggs