Guidelines for Effective Library
Assignments
Course-related library assignments
can provide students with positive
and effective information-gathering
and research experiences. To ensure
the success of library assignments,
instructional faculty are encouraged
to consider the following guidelines:
- Your Library Assignment
- Check that all resources listed
in your assignment are available
at the library, and provide
call numbers and locations.
(You can check CSUCI’s
online catalog from your office
or home, or contact a library
staff member to assist you.)
- Verify that answers to specific
questions are readily available
in the library’s collections.
- If your entire class will
be using 1 or 2 titles, have
them placed on Reserve. Call
8561.
- Inform the library of your
assignment and send a copy of
your assignment to help us prepare
to assist your students.
- Avoid trivia or scavenger
hunts. These do not teach students
library research or critical
thinking skills. Contact the
library staff to assist you
to design effective library
assignments that incorporate
research strategies and process
along with critical thinking
skills.
- Bibliographic guides
(Printed or Web-based)
- Request a printed or Web-based
resource guide listing specific
sources or types of resources
to help students on a particular
library assignment. (Give the
library 1-2 weeks to prepare
a new bibliographic guide.)
- Instruction to Classes
- The library offers course-integrated
library instruction that focuses
on the specific skills needed
for class assignments. You may
schedule an instructional session
for your class by calling Paul
at extension 8577 or fill out
the Instructional
Form.
