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What is Library Instruction?
Library Instruction is a required component of First-Year and
Advanced Writing classes at BYU. It is designed to teach students
how to use library tools to perform college level research.
Library instruction is divided into three parts:
1. An Audio Tour to familiarize students with the library.
2. An Online Tutorial that teaches basic research principles, processes and programs.
3. Library Instruction Sessions dedicated to class or individual
help.
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What is the Library Audio Tour?
The Library tour takes 40 minutes and will familiarize your
students with the location of library resources, including the
reference desks.
The Library Audio Tour is available:
1. On CD in the Learning Resource Center (LRC) on Level 4 of the
library
2. As an MP3 file at http://www.lib.byu.edu/instruction/tour/
or click here.
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What is the SMART Research Skills Tutorial?
The Library Tutorial takes your students through the basic steps
of the research process, teaching them different processes and tools that are necessary to perform effective college level research.
The Library Tutorial is available:
1. Through Blackboard
(ex. Library Research Skills - English 150)
2. Through the Library Instruction Homepage (Under "Quick Links"
section)
3. Or directly at: http://net.lib.byu.edu/tutorial/smart/.
For for more information regarding the SMART Tutorial, please view the "Instructors Guide to the SMART" under "Quick Links."
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What are the library tests and how do I access the scores?
The Library Audio Tour and Previous Library Tutorial have tests associated
with them while the current SMART Tutorial has two corresponding assignments. These assess your students' completion and comprehension
of the Tour and Tutorial. Students can access these tests and assignments through
the Blackboard Library Research Skills course.
You are also able to access your students' scores for this current
semester through Blackboard.
To Access Test Scores:
1. Log on to Blackboard
with your Route Y Net ID and password.
2. Choose your course (ex. Library Research Skills - English 311)
3. Click on "Control Panel."
4. Under "Assessment" choose "Gradebook."
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What do I do if my students have already taken the tests?
If a student has already completed the library tests within the past four years, they do
not have to do take again. Scores of tests taken within the last
four years are still valid and will be uploaded into Blackboard
at the beginning of the semester.
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What do I do if one of my student's tests are locked on Blackboard?
If a student gets locked out of a test, you can clear the lock
and reset their test scores. Instructions on clearing locked test
scores can be found at http://www.lib.byu.edu/instruction/clearing_test_scores.pdf
First-Year Writing
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What is the purpose of the First-Year Writing Library Sessions?
You and your class will attend two library instruction sessions
during class time.
The objectives of these sessions are to combine the knowledge students learn in the SMART Tutorial with practice time and one-one-one research consultations with each student to ensure:
1. Students understand the credibility of different information
sources.
2. Students become familiar with and gain experience using
library databases, catalogs, and other library research tools.
3. Students become familiar with tools and individuals who
can help them in all future research.
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How do I schedule First-Year Writing Library Sessions?
Kimball Benson (2-7089) is in charge of coordinating the library
instruction. About a month before the semester, he will send you
a notice asking for any preferences in a library instructor. You
will then be paired up with a library instructor with whom you
will coordinate the dates of your library sessions.
In scheduling the library sessions dates, the following guidelines
apply:
1. Library sessions should be scheduled at least one class period
after you have introduced the issue/research paper and students
have had time to choose a topic.
2. Many instructors tend to get behind in their syllabus by the
time they get to the issue paper, so it is better to schedule
later dates for library sessions if you're not sure.
3. Sessions can be any distance apart, but doing them in back-to-back
class periods is recommended.
4. Session dates are requested through your assigned library instructor.
Advanced Writing
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What is the purpose of the Advanced Writing Library Sessions?
Advanced Writing Library sessions allow students to:
1. Meet the subject librarian for their major field who can help
them throughout their academic career.
2. Learn research skills in research strategy for their current
interests.
3. Explore and use the Databases and Article Indexes specific
to their major.
These sessions accomplish the following learning outcomes for
students:
1. Differentiates between primary and secondary sources, recognizing
how their use and importance vary with each discipline.
2. Selects efficient and effective approaches for accessing the
information needed from the investigative method or information
retrieval system.
3. Implements the search using investigative protocols appropriate
to the discipline.
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What do I need to do to prepare my students for their Advanced
Writing Library Sessions?
To help your students prepare for their library session, please
do the following:
1. Encourage your students to fill out the registration form during
the first two weeks of the semester. This form is found on the
student tab of our website at www.lib.byu.edu/instruction.
2. Require the Library Audio Tour, Tutorial, and tests which are
usually taken as part of First-Year Writing. If a student has
already completed these, they do not have to do them again (See
"What do I do if my students have already taken the
tests?").
3. Student should have a basic understanding of the research process
and their specific assignment. The sessions will be more meaningful
if they are prepared with a topic and keywords that relate to
their assignment.
4. Remind your students to sign the library instruction roll in
the class they attend to get credit. We will update the attendance
in Blackboard so that you can monitor who has attended.
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How do I schedule "Other" Library Instruction for my Advanced
Writing Class?
If you would like your entire class to receive research instruction
during class time, please choose from the following options:
Basic or Advanced research skills
Contact Suzanne Julian, 422-2813, suzanne_julian@byu.edu
Subject specific research skills
Contact the subject librarian responsible for the subject area
you are interested in having instruction. See the list of subjects
and associated librarians: http://www.lib.byu.edu/sub_libs.html
