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Library Services for Faculty

Librarian Instruction

Librarians at NorQuest Library have a Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies. They are experts in the organization, evaluation, and retrieval of information. Their primary responsibility is the development of information literacy skills in students.

Through a blend of services and modes of delivery, students have the opportunity to learn about: 

  • library resources;
  • how to formulate a research strategy;
  • how find and choose credible sources;
  • how to use and cite scholarly information;
  • how to avoid plagiarism; and more.

*Research instruction sessions are designed to meet the needs of individual assignments and should be scheduled for when students are ready to conduct their research

 

Library Instruction Menu

APA Online Course (90-120min)

  • A four module course covering an introduction to citation and plagiarism, in-text and reference citations, document formatting and proofreading citations.
  • This can be embedded into your Moodle course as a graded item or recommended to students as a way to re-learn APA.

How to Paraphrase (30min)

  • This is a supplemental session for students who already have some knowledge of APA Style (i.e. have taken the APA Online Course or used APA in previous terms)
  • Learn about the 6 steps of effective paraphrasing, followed by real-life, discipline-specific practice items.

Source Types & Uses (30min)

  • In this lecture/activity combination, students will learn about the different types of sources that they will find while doing research for their assignments.
  • The attributes and purpose of sources are emphasized (i.e. scholarly, popular, authoritative), and the activity encourages students to think critically about the sources they choose.

Evaluating Sources (30min)

  • After a short lecture on how to use evaluation criteria, students participate in a hands-on activity where they apply the criteria to real life examples.

Formulating Research Questions (30min)

  • This lecture covers the basics of how to write an effective research question, and is paired with an activity featuring hands-on research question writing practice.

Effective Search Strategies (30min)

  • Before students start searching for sources, it is important to develop a strategy.
  • This lecture and activity help students to identify keywords, generate synonyms, and combine their search terms using Boolean Operators.

Database Searching (30min)

  • Live demonstration of database searching includes important tips for keeping track of search results, and how to filter to get to the most relevant results.
  • An activity with hands-on practice helps students to get the most out of our OneSearch database.

Custom Sessions (30-60min)

  • Work with your liaison librarian to customize a library instruction session to meet the needs of your specific assignment and class.
  • For example, Starting Research (60min) combines Sources, Evaluating, Searching, and Databases.

Fake-Believe: An Introduction to Misinformation (120min+)

  • A four module course covering misinformation and its various forms; evaluating information using techniques such as lateral reading; news literacy, science literacy and conspiracy theories; and the role of bias in spreading misinformation.
  • This can be embedded into your Moodle course as a graded item or recommended to students as a critical skill set to practice.

 

Contact your liaison librarian for more information about instruction and embedding an online course into your Moodle Master. We offer:

  • Lectures (20min)
  • Interactive activities
  • Synchronous or asynchronous classes
  • Moodle friendly integration

What is 'library instruction'? What is information literacy?

Information Literacy forms the basis for what we most often describe as "library instruction." Information literacy is a set of abilities that enable individuals to:

  • evaluate and choose information critically from a range of sources;
  • use information effectively and ethically;
  • create new knowledge in given information environments--both academic and personal.

In today's world these skills are more essential than ever, and will prove invaluable to NorQuest students as they pursue their careers.

Information literacy is fundamental to lifelong learning. As stated in the Alexandria Proclamation, "it is a basic human right in a digital world and promotes social inclusion of all nations" (UNESCO, 2005). 

 

Indigenous Information Literacy

Indigenous Information Literacy focuses on aspects of information literacy and library instruction that relate to Indigenous peoples' histories and cultures, reconciliation, and cultivating decolonial, anti-oppressive, anti-racist information practices. To learn more, visit our Indigenous Information Literacy Guide.

 

Why is library instruction important?

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