Formal instruction in the resources, services, and organization of University Library is a service offered by the User Services Department to MTSU students, faculty, staff, and others. Library instruction sessions are initiated both by the User Services Department through classes open to the campus at large and by faculty request.
General library instruction classes are designed to last from fifty minutes to an hour. English 1010/1020, University 1010, College Study Skills, and other introductory courses typically receive an overview of library services and organization plus demonstrations followed by hands-on practice using the Library's online catalog and the InfoTrac OneFile database. Appropriate library handouts are distributed including the Library Orientation Worksheet, if desired. General instruction sessions may also be requested featuring specific library databases. Notification of two to three days in advance is required for scheduling general instruction classes.
Customized library instruction classes are also available upon request. Class length typically runs from one to two hours, but is flexible depending upon session content. These sessions typically feature a variety of print, electronic database, and internet resources used for conducting research in specific subject areas. Reference books, the online catalog, Electronic Information Center databases, FirstSearch, and various internet applications may all be covered. Notification of at least one week in advance is required when scheduling these sessions.
All formal library instruction classes are conducted in Library
Instruction Rooms 272 and 264A located on the second floor. Twenty-eight
computers
are available in Room 272 and thirty-six in Room 264A. Seating may be
doubled in
each room if computers are shared.
Call
904-8530 to schedule your class or fill out an online library
instruction request form. Classes
are
scheduled on a
first come, first served basis determined by room and staff availability.
When calling please let
us know whether you want a general or customized session, the number of
students in your class, how to reach you, and any special assignments
you have planned involving library research. We are glad to use search
examples tailored to what you are studying in class. Instructors
are required to accompany their classes to all library instruction
sessions. More than one session may be scheduled per class section to
provide an in-depth introduction to library resources. Tours of the
library building may also be scheduled.
All library instruction classes are taught by User Services librarians. Sue Alexander, David Altenhof, Melvin Davis, Karen Dearing, Jacqueline Dowdy, Ken Middleton, Sharon Parente, Neil Scott, Mayo Taylor, and Amy York currently participate in the library instruction program. The User Services librarian assigned to your class will call you in advance to discuss class content in-depth. Sharon Parente is responsible for coordinating the scheduling of the class sessions and can be reached at 898-2549 to answer your questions concerning the program. return to the Library Home Page