Education in the liberal arts, sciences, and business includes the ability to locate, evaluate, and use information effectively, whether researching a paper or engaging the world beyond graduation. The Reinert-Alumni Library supports the faculty's efforts to teach these lifelong information literacy skills in any way we can, both inside and outside the classroom.
Library Classes
Your department's Subject Liaison can come to your classroom to demonstrate web-based resources relevant to your assignment, with handouts and/or hands-on activity, if a computer lab is available. Alternatively, the class can convene in our "smart" classroom on the upper level of the Library. Although a session usually takes the full period, we can scale back the time as needed. Please allow 1-2 weeks' preparation time to ensure a quality presentation.
Library Encounter Online (LEO)
The Library Encounter Online (LEO) is a series of six multimedia tutorials designed to introduce you to the Reinert-Alumni Library and to academic research sources and strategies. Each module includes an interactive quiz and a takeaway handout.
Course Guides
Your Subject Liaison can create a Course Guide for your class that is geared to a specific assignment. Course Guides typically include links to the Library Catalog, to relevant databases, and to appropriate web sites. They often include reference books or e-books, as well. Your department's Subject Liaison will include any sources you recommend. Please allow 1-2 weeks' preparation time.
Research Assistance Program (RAP)
For Individuals - The Research Assistance Program (RAP) is a good option for any individual who is having difficulty finding research information. Just as the Writing Center's tutors help students write well, the Subject Liaisons can help them find the best possible sources of information for a research assignment. If you know of a student who is struggling to find appropriate information, feel free to refer them to us for a one-on-one RAP session.
Research Clinics
For Small Groups - If you can't afford class time, we would be glad to schedule a library session for students outside of class. Research Clinics are held in the Library classroom at a time most convenient for a majority of interested individuals. We will request a copy of the syllabus, and confer with you before the clinic is offered, to be sure we understand your requirements. Although attendance will likely be voluntary, extra credit points are a suggested incentive! Please allow 1-2 weeks' preparation time. To schedule a clinic, contact your department's Subject Liaison.
Research Toolbox
The Research Toolbox is a collection of "how to" links, web-based tutorials for key library resources, and handouts on conducting library research. It includes information on evaluating web sites, database search strategies, the Library of Congress system, and sample bibliographic citations. Faculty are welcome to point students to these resources from the web, or download them as class handouts. We welcome your suggestions for additional Toolbox resources.
Library Instruction Survey
Like the university as a whole, the Reinert-Alumni Library makes an effort to collect learning outcomes assessment data. At minimum, we typically ask students to submit a Library Instruction Survey whenever we teach a library class. We also invite faculty to measure (and share) information literacy outcomes in their courses.