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Instruction a la Carte Menu What is this?
Not sure what we can teach, or how long a topic will take? The below list shows our most popular topics. This is not an exhaustive list; if you would like other resources or topics
addressed, we’d be happy to discuss the options with you.
We have two "menus": one is a general list that is applicable to any class (For All Classes), and one that lists offerings for students with some basic library research skills (For Upper Level Classes). We also have a list of "other options" for our Univ 100 and E102 classes.
Topics and Time Requirements
For All Classes
Will your students need to…[time required] |
Points Covered |
Develop a search strategy? (highly recommended) [10 minutes] |
- Brainstorming a topic
- Narrowing topics
- Identifying keywords and synonyms
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Find full text articles? [20 minutes] |
- Identifying different parts of article citations
- Basic introduction to accessing full text articles from print and online citations
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Use the library’s catalog to look for books or DVDs? [10 minutes] |
- Finding books and videos on a topic
- Accessing electronic books
- Using call numbers to locate items in the building
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Know the difference between popular and scholarly articles? [20 minutes] |
- Comparing and contrasting journals vs magazines articles
- Discussing the publication process
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Evaluate Websites? [40 minutes] |
- Analyzing sites for credibility
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Learn how to avoid plagiarism? [40 minutes] |
- Recognizing what is plagiarism
- Understanding paraphrasing
- Ethics and issues of academic integrity
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Use general interest databases to find articles on common, popular topics? [15 minutes per database] |
- Using databases like Academic Search Complete to find articles on topics
- Using the "find full text" link to retrieve articles
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Use APA, MLA or Chicago/Turabian? [30 minutes for brief overview; 50 minutes for more in-depth coverage] |
- Location of APA and MLA help pages
- Identifying different parts of article citations
- Citing a print article in APA or MLA
- (Note: we have stand-alone Survivor workshops that go into much more detail about APA, MLA and Chicago)
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For Upper Level Classes (Students have library basics)
Will your students need to… [time required] |
Points Covered |
Mine a good article to discover other relevants sources on their topics? [30 minutes] |
- Find full text from a bibliography or works cited list
- Reading citations
- Distinguishing between book and article citations
- Finding the full titles of abbreviated journal names
- Using the catalog and journal finder to locate items
- Searching a database to find related articles (especially through the use of subject headings)
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Track the literature to find articles which cited an important work? [20 minutes] |
- Using Web of Knowledge and other tools to find citation information
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Identify the different types of scholarly articles? [15 minutes] |
- Comparing and distinguishing between: research articles and literature reviews; primary vs. secondary
- Discussing what peer-reviewed means
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Search specialized databases for their fields? [30 minutes per database] |
- How to search for topics in PsycINFO, CINAHL; ERIC; Sociological Abstracts, Web of Science, etc.
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Request articles and books through Interlibrary Loan? [10 minutes] |
- How to log in to ILL
- How to request an article
- How to access articles received
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Other Options:
Univ100 Library Challenge! = 50 minutes
Students play a Jeopardy-style game, complete with buzzers and prizes, to learn about McConnell Library. Both faculty and peer instructors are required to attend, and the students need to complete the library exercise in the textbook before attending the session.
Eng 102 Library Session I = 50 minutes
Searching for articles: Search strategy and the database most appropriate for your assignment
Eng 102 Library Session II = 50 minutes
Evaluating sources: discussion of what is a reputable source, with an emphasis on Web sites. You may also suggest your students attend Library Survivor workshops. These are a great way to help students with library skills outside of class time. To set up a library session, use the online
form. We ask that you request a session at
least one week in advance; you will receive a confirmation
usually within 24 hours of its receipt.
You can also contact any of the instruction librarians directly:
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