What is Library Instruction?

Library Instruction Schedule

Library Instruction Assessment Form

Some of the goals of library instruction, or user education, are to

• introduce or re-acquaint students with relevant library resources (print, electronic, and other formats) for their projects and information needs
• help students use these resources effectively
• help students develop efficient and effective information search strategies
• help students develop critical evaluation skills, so they can determine relevance and reliability of information for their needs.

Another term for what we are trying to accomplish is information literacy or information competency. The Association of College and Research Libraries adopted these Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education in January 2000. Information Literacy in a Nutshell provides Information for Academic Administrators and Faculty.

Together, with the faculty of St. Mary's University, we can cooperatively establish a connection between the classroom and the Louis J. Blume Library. Please contact the Library Instruction Librarian, Diane Duesterhoeft, at 210/436-3346 for any of the following:

• If you are planning to give students assignments that involve using library resources. This could include books, government publications, journal articles, or materials accessed through library subscription databases. It helps if you provide us with a copy of the assignment and also a course syllabus. With this information, we can make sure we have the resources that students are asked to use. This information also prepares us in directing students to these sources and we can inform our colleagues about anticipated use of these resources.


• We are happy to work with you in developing effective library assignments. In other words, we can cooperate in working towards assignments that challenge students not only to gain skills in acquiring information, but also to require students to critically analyze and synthesize information.


• We can tailor instruction in using library resources to the needs of your class. With our constantly changing information environment, we are continually acquiring new resources and tools. We can help make students aware of these resources and provide specialized classroom presentations that demonstrate to the students how to effectively use the resources. Some of these resources include subscription databases available through the library's web site, as well as resources found through the World Wide Web. Discipline-specific information and search tips can be found under Research Guides. Faculty members who would like their students to use these resources should contact the Library Instruction Librarian at 210/436-3346 to schedule training.


• We can work with students in developing and refining critical evaluation skills in selecting and utilizing appropriate information sources.


• We can provide assistance in appropriately citing or documenting sources used. We have developed guides that supplement the official handbooks for MLA Documentation format and APA Documentation format.

Library instruction may take place in your classroom, in the Blume Library Reference area, or frequently, in the Multimedia Instructional Center (MIC). The MIC, located on the third floor of the Blume Library, is administered by the Learning Assistance Center, but is cooperatively shared with the Blume Library faculty. The MIC is used primarily for instruction. It is restricted to students enrolled in selected courses and to classes while they are receiving library instruction or faculty, staff and students attending a library workshop. The MIC presently contains an RGB computer projector and networked PCs and laptops running on a Windows XP platform with access to the Internet. Wireless access is also available in this area and throughout the library.