Library Resources for Faculty and Staff

For information about open textbooks, current research, copyright, and pedagogy, visit our Faculty resources section

Library instruction for your students: two weeks to success

Just Two Weeks

That's all we need to develop an excellent library instruction session for your class, giving students the tools and familiarity they need to navigate and successfully use Library resources.

The Eshleman Library offers in-depth instruction sessions and informative tours to help orient students to library services and facilities. Classes may be customized for a particular course or assignment. Please keep the following in mind when considering library instruction:

Library instruction is most effective in conjunction with a class assignment. Please provide the librarians with a copy of the assignment before the tour.
In-depth sessions must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. It may not be possible to accommodate a class without adequate notice.
Instructional packets or handouts are available and may be customized for your class upon request.
Please have the following information available when scheduling a Library Instruction Session:
- Date and time for instruction session
- Alternate date and time for instruction session
- Class size
- Your contact information
- A copy of all relevant assignments or syllabi should be dropped off at the Reference Desk or emailed to the assigned Librarian.

If you plan to have your class work in the library without receiving a tour please inform us ahead of time so conflicts can be avoided.

Need a Library Instruction session? Contact a Tessa Betts: tbetts2@hfcc.edu for further information. Remember, just two weeks is all it takes for your students have great library experiences!

Assignments that use library resources

Librarians are available to work with you to design assignments that effectively use library resources and help accomplish lesson objectives.

You may also contact us for more information:

Tessa Betts - tbetts2@hfcc.edu or 313-845-9763
Janel Mills - jmmills1@hfcc.edu or 313-845-6376

Guidelines for successful Library assignments

Librarians are available to work with you to design class assignments that effectively use library resources and help accomplish lesson objectives. Incorporating library research into your class assignments can help your students to better understand how information is organized in the library and online.

Purpose of the Assignment - What do you want your students to learn? Are there specific reference sources you want them to use (or avoid)? Consider including a list of important sources with the assignment.
Availability of Resources - The Library and its collections are constantly changing. Electronic databases, including ebooks, offer great access. Encouraging students to use authoritative sources in online databases can help wean them from overuse and abuse of unreliable online information.
Clarity - Please remind students to bring their assignments with them to the Library when they do research. Giving Library assignments in writing (rather than verbally) can help reduce confusion and ensure that we are all on the same page. For example, if you want them to use scholarly articles, be sure to define what you mean by scholarly articles. Sometimes a good article in a magazine can be more appropriate than an esoteric academic journal.
Use of Terminology - Students tend to interpret assignments literally and may be confused by unfamiliar terms. Students are likely to only use the terms/phrases they have heard without realizing that alternative terminology may be necessary. Definitions of discipline-specific terminology, with possible synonyms, can help the student accomplish their research.
Topic - Choosing a topic is often difficult for students. Even if you are not using a specific "menu" of topic choices, some samples will help us get a feel for your expectations.
Avoid scavenger hunts - The least effective assignment asks students to locate random facts. It lacks a clear purpose and is frustrating for students and librarians. Such assignments often become exercises in futility as items are misplaced or disappear. Librarians, not students, often end up locating the information. We would be happy to work with you on designing a meaningful and practical hands-on exercise.

Course reserves

Eshleman Library does not purchase textbooks. Instructors who wish to leave copies of textbooks, old examinations or assignments, additional reading, or AV materials may place them on reserve at the Circulation Desk. Reserve materials may circulate or be restricted to library use only. 48 hours of processing time is required before the materials are available for students. Contact the Circulation staff for more information.

Search Course Reserves

Additional Information and Resources

Faculty Videos

More than 1,500 DVDs and videos designated for classroom use are available in the Library. Videos may be checked out by faculty. Students may review them in the Library. The Library also offers online databases with video content. Explore those databases here.

Periodicals

Looking for a specific periodical? Try searching the Library Catalog or visiting the Electronic Resources Access page. If HFC has no access, consult a Reference Librarian for options.

Suggestions

Please fill out the online form with any suggestions or comments about the Library or our services. Send us your suggestions.