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Library Instruction Requests

Schedule Library Instruction

Please fill out the form to request a class. Your request will be forwarded to a library subject liaison for Library Instruction.

Please note that the below form is not for English 1201/1202 instruction. That form can be found here: English 1201/1202 Instruction Request Form 2023/2024

Library Instruction

Library instruction by the University's librarian faculty helps students learn how to more efficiently and effectively use library resources in conducting research in writing.  

  • Library Instruction works best when it is presented in conjunction with a professor's specific assignment so that the librarian can focus the instruction on the research skills, concepts, and resources that students will put to use in their research and writing process. 
  • Lessons are flexible and can take up an entire class period or less, depending on the research needs and requests of the professor. 
  • Multiple sessions to cover extensive topics can also be arranged. 
  • Online materials can be developed to support the research needs of a class. These can include online research guides, videos, or interactive tutorials. 
  • Library instruction must be scheduled one week prior to the requested date for instruction. 
  • Please note that the classroom professor is expected to attend the session, as this reinforces the importance of the material to students.

Library Instruction for Upper-Division Undergraduate or Graduate Courses

Please note that we have a comprehensive First Year Library Instruction Program in which we meet with all English 1201, English 1202, and University Life classes. If your class comprises mostly first year students, we encourage you to seek an alternate path of library support other than library instruction since students will have most likely had three classes with us over the course of their school year. Faculty whose courses comprise mostly upper division or graduate students are welcome to book library instruction classes. Library faculty will collaborate with academic faculty to design lessons for specific course or assignment learning objectives. All efforts will be made to pair classes with the appropriate subject librarian. Classes can include time for individual, guided research practice.

We offer the following lessons in addition to custom class options. All classes can be tailored for Undergraduate or Graduate audiences. We can also conduct mini-lessons that occur over a partial class period, video tutorials, and learning materials that can be used for asynchronous online classes.

Standard Class Options (full class period):

  • Introduction to Research
  • Advanced Research Methodologies in a Specific Academic Discipline
  • Defining and Preventing Plagiarism and Zotero Citation Management
  • Data Visualization and Management
  • Archives, Gallery, or Special Collections

Library Workshops

Workshops are hosted by library, archives, or special collections faculty or staff usually independently of a specific registered course, and are open to all students, staff, and faculty. Selection varies by semester.

8/2020

Library Instruction Calendar

The library instruction calendar shows all currently scheduled library instruction classes and workshops. Please note that if you have requested a class and do not see it listed yet, you will receive an email confirmation when we have booked it. Requests need to be entered and assigned manually, so at high volume times such as the beginning of the fall and spring semesters there may be delays. If you have a concern, please email maria.barca@shu.edu or gerard.shea@shu.edu

First Year Library Instruction Program

Goals of First Year Instruction Program

Library faculty prepare information literacy materials / teach library research instruction in the following first year courses.

  • ULife
  • English 1201
  • English 1202

By the end of the first-year library instruction program, students will know that as SHU students they have the potential to become scholars in a variety of academic disciplines and that the library has resources and services to assist them in this pursuit. Students will also understand that participating in scholarship begins with practicing research as openminded and self-directed inquiry. Students will learn and practice research skills and concepts that will enable them to begin the research process.

How to Sign Up for First Year Instruction

Instructors for English 1201/1202 have two options for instruction: they can either sign-up for an instruction session or have their students complete the online modules and quizzes.

For instructors interested in signing up for an instruction session, please fill out the form here: English 1201/1202 Library Instruction Form 2023/2024. Please also see the English 1201 Guide or English 1202 Guide for information on pre- and post-surveys required for in-person instruction.

For instructors interested in using the online modules, please find them here: English 1201 Online Module or English 1202 Online Module

English 1201 and 1202 faculty who have any questions should contact Maria Barca (maria.barca@shu.edu).

Learning Outcomes of the First Year Instruction Program:

These sessions are based on the following Learning Outcomes but may vary slightly in content in order to support the research needs of each class. The skills taught in these classes are invaluable for students as they set the foundation for good research skills and a familiarity with the library that greatly benefits them in their coursework and overall experience at Seton Hall.

ULife Learning Outcomes:

Virtual Scavenger Hunt

  • Students will be able to demonstrate familiarity with the SHU library services, resources, and spaces by completing a mobile library scavenger hunt.

Academic Integrity Lesson (designed by library faculty and Center for Academic Success curriculum team)

Students will be able to:

  • articulate why it is important to be an ethical member of their scholarly community (SHU) by the end of class. 
  • understand that academic integrity and honesty is a crucial part of the research process. 
  • begin developing strategies to avoid plagiarism including locating academic support systems on campus.

English 1201 Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to:

  • identify the source requirements of their research project by locating or deducing this information from their 1201 assignment and/or syllabus.
  • start the research process by locating background information on their topics and use this research to collect search terms and narrow their research topics.
  • complete a basic search in SHU Search to select, access, and collect a citation of relevant sources for their research.
  • use the SIFT method and/or lateral reading techniques to think critically about their selected sources.

English 1202 Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to:

  • identify the source requirements of their literary research project by locating or deducing this information from their 1202 assignment and/or syllabus.
  • evaluate source types by selecting and recording at least two relevant and appropriate sources that fulfill the parameters of their assignment.
  • understand the importance of persistence and variety in selecting research terminology by writing several simple Boolean search statements.
  • demonstrate familiarity with at least two literary academic databases by searching them to locate and record, at a minimum, two relevant sources for their research project.

9/2022