CLC Libraries and Instructional Services

Instructional Services

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The library provides a number of services to help students, faculty, and staff use information effectively for research goals and lifelong learning.

Instructional sessions: Librarians are available to provide classes with sessions on Library resources, online databases, research skills, and specific collections. Each session is custom made to support the goals and assignments of the course and can include instruction, demonstration, and hands-on work sessions or activities. Some aspects of a session may include:

Library orientation
Overview of the catalog
Overview of the library website and tools
Good research skills and tips
Basic information literacy skills
- Primary versus secondary resources
- Differences between scholarly and popular sources
Introduction to specific collections (i.e. literary criticism items)
Online databases
- General overview
- Specific databases (i.e. ARTstor or Westlaw)
Citation skills
- General
- Learning Noodlebib
Website evaluation
Information evaluation
Hands-on work session with a librarian

All of these are important parts of the research process but not all can be fit into one 50 minute session. Please work with the librarian teaching your class to design a class that will provide the information needed to student without overwhelming them.

Request an instruction or work session for your class

Library instruction gives your students the research skills they need to succeed in your class. This instruction can vary to include:

A full session (45 minutes) covering a variety of research sources and strategies in our classroom or yours targeted specifically to your content and assignments for the best results.
A "Bib lite" - a brief session in your classroom on a particular database or research tool.
Bring your class into the library to allow your students class time to research with the help of our library staff.
Embeded librarians (see details below)

Use the "Online Request Form" button below to submit a request for an library instruction session for your course. Please submit your request and a copy of your assignment at least two weeks in advance to ensure the availability of a librarian and preparation of materials. Once submitted, a librarian will contact you to confirm the time and content of your session. All requests are tentative until confirmed by a librarian. If you have further questions, or do not receive a confirmation within 7 days, please call 847-543-2462 (extension 2462 from a campus phone).

Other Instructional Services

Research Guides: The library can create web-based resources in various subject areas to aid students in research across the disciplines. Librarians are also available to work with instructors to develop items to support their courses.

Information Competency Skills Integration: Part of our mission is not only to teach students research skills in the library sessions but to help course instructors integrate information competency into their curriculum. Librarians are available to work with faculty on designing courses and assignments that will help students reach higher levels of research skills and encourage the use of quality information materials. Please see our Information Competency page for more information.

Professional Development Instruction: The library regularly offers classes through the Professional Development Center on various library tools and information literacy concepts. Individuals may also request time with a librarian to learn about new databases or how library resources can help them.

Infusing the library into Blackboard: Just because your students are online does not mean they can not visit the library. The CLC library has many online resources including databases, eBooks, eVideos, and reference services that can be infused into your online course.