Library Instruction

Library Assignment Tips

Library assignments, whether they may be designed to teach library skills or to just require the use of library materials, are a large part of life at Polk Library. While no assignment is perfect, many common pitfalls can be avoided. When planning a library assignment you may want to consider:

Sending a copy of the assignment to the Reference Staff.
As the saying goes "fore warned is for armed". Students often ask the Reference Staff for help with assignments. Sending the assignment early can help us understand what you are requiring of your students and catch any glitches. Most of all it helps us better assist your students. Along with the assignment it also helpful for us to know:

• How many students are in the class(es).
• When the assignment will be given and when it will be due?
• What materials, print or electronic, students will be asked to use.

Work through the assignment yourself.
By doing the assignment you can see where your students may encounter problems and how long it may take them to complete it. You may want to have a student worker work through it also.

Considering placing required library materials on reserve.
This is especially true for large or multiple classes. Because these materials will receive a lot of use, they can be misshelved, left in other parts of the building, or vandalized, making it difficult for other students to use them.

Are the materials required for the assignment available in the library?
Sometimes materials have been lost, discontinued, stolen, hidden or misshelved. Please check the library holdings or contact the reference staff before giving the assignment.

Are there recommended electronic resources available?
The Library's list of electronic resources changes quickly, with databases being added, removed or changing vendors occasionally. Check the Library's electronic resources list or with the reference staff.

Do the students understand the terminology?
Students, especially freshman, can be confused about what a scholarly journal is, or the difference between using a periodical index and searching the Internet.

Scavenger Hunts
While scavenger hunts are a common type of library assignment, they are also usually the most ineffective. Questions that ask for trivial types of information can be frustrating for students and often end up with the reference librarian locating the answers instead of the students.

Do your students have the library skills to complete the assignment?
While we would like to think that our students are well versed in using the library, many incoming students are not familiar with academic libraries like Polk Library. Consider scheduling a library instruction session to familiarize your students with the library materials they will be using.