Library Instruction Menu

Topics We Can Cover:

• Navigating the Library

  Approximate Time Required:

  • 30-60 minutes

  Concepts Covered:

  • Students are able to identify services in the library and learn how to locate specific materials
• Topic Creation

  Approximate Time Required:

  • 30 minutes

  Concepts Covered:

  • Generating topic ideas.
  • Narrowing or broadening a topic to fit the scope of the research project.
  • Understanding research is made up of many research questions and evolves over time.
• Searching in Primo

  Approximate Time Required:

  • 30 minutes

  Concepts Covered:

  • Developing a search strategy using search terms and filters.
  • Learn to access the full text of resources.
• Searching in Discipline-Specific Databases

  Approximate Time Required:

  • 30 minutes

  Concepts Covered:

  • Learn how to identify databases appropriate for specific disciplines.
  • Developing a search strategy using search terms and filters.
• Searching Beyond Union

  Approximate Time Required:

  • 30 minutes

  Concepts Covered:

  • Searching beyond Schaffer Library in Primo.
  • Using the WorldCat scope.
  • Searching in Google Scholar.
    • Developing a search strategy using different terms and filters.
    • Learn how to find the full text of resources or how to inter-library loan them.
• Searching for Primary Sources

  Approximate Time Required:

  • 40 minutes

  Concepts Covered:

  • Students learn/review what primary sources are and their unique challenges and benefits for using them.
  • Students identify places to search for primary sources related to their topic as well as search strategies.
• Advanced Primary Sources

  Approximate Time Required:

  • 30-60 minutes

  Concepts Covered:

  • Students learn how to interpret and analyze primary sources based on the discipline they are studying.
• Credibility and Evaluation

  Approximate Time Required:

  • 30 minutes

  Concepts Covered:

  • Identify multiple characteristics used for evaluation.
  • Learn that one characteristic doesn't make a definitive evaluation.
• RefWorks

  Approximate Time Required:

  • 60 minutes

  Concepts Covered:

  • Students learn to use the RefWorks software to create citations in multiple formats.
  • Recommended Guide: RefWorks Overview
• Creating Citations

  Approximate Time Required:

  • 60 minutes

  Concepts Covered:

  • Students learn a specific format for citations and are able to manually create their own in-text and bibliographic citations.