Library Instruction Services

Librarians are available to consult with faculty and instructors to create or revise effective research assignments and classroom activities that foster critical thinking, evaluation skills, and promote lifelong learning.

Librarians can help you:

  • Understand students' research capabilities.
  • Create, revise, or offer suggestions on your research-based assignments.
  • Talk about alternatives to traditional research papers or presentations.
  • Identify and discuss library resources suitable for an online class research guide
  • Provide individualized training on library resources.

Scheduling Library Instruction

  1. Read the best practices for teaching with your librarian.
  2. Contact your subject librarian directly to request a session.
    • Remember to schedule at least 14 days in advance of when you would like your library instruction session to occur, and
    • Supply a copy of your syllabus and assignment description(s).

Instructional Design Services

The Library also offers instructional and assignment design consultations for instructors to apply in their own classes. Come with ideas for an activity or an assignment, an instructional challenge to be addressed, or questions about teaching tools or pedagogies. We’ll talk about techniques and resources and create a plan to move the work forward.

To schedule a consultation, contact Instructional Design Librarian Marisa Petrich at marisp2@uw.edu. 

Possible projects include:

  • Designing or revising assignments, activities, or workshops.
  • Incorporating active learning techniques into your class.
  • Selecting and integrating new technologies.
  • Creating online learning objects or Canvas modules.
  • Increasing engagement in online classes.
  • Finding and adapting Open Educational Resources.

Best Practices for Teaching with your Librarian:

  • Library assignments are more meaningful if students use the information they find for an authentic task related to the topics covered in the course.

  • Contact your librarian as soon as possible. Please give us adequate notice to prepare for your class. Notification at least two weeks in advance is often preferred, but the more time the better.

  • Librarians can cover no more than 2-3 learning outcomes or resources within one library instruction session.

  • Schedule the session to coincide with the research project. Students will be more engaged in the session and will retain more information.

  • Remember that the research process is changing constantly. It is often safe to assume many students have a limited understanding and experience of the process.

  • Prepare your class in advance of the session to maximize instruction time. For example, do students have and understand the assignment? Are groups for group projects formed in advance? Have students thought or written about their topics beforehand?

  • Plan to be present when a librarian visits your classroom. Your presence and contributions will help us to establish rapport with your students.

  • Participate in the library session. Librarians and students appreciate your perspective and ability to tie the library instruction to the context of the course.

  • Communicate with your librarian if you have a challenging assignment or will be sending your students to the Library.