North Hall Library
570-662-4671   ::   libref@mansfield.edu   ::   MU Home

 

Library Instruction

Library Instruction

Goals
The librarians of North Hall Library are committed to insuring that every Mansfield student has the necessary information literacy skills to be both an academic success in college and a life long learner after graduation.

First-year Experience Course (FYS 1100)
The library has a specific program for students in the First-year Experience Course. This program provides students with an introduction to the academic library, library services and information resource and is the foundation of the information literacy program.

Course Integrated Instruction
Library faculty will provide classroom instruction with materials and content being tied to a specific assignment or the needs of a particular discipline. Faculty interested in integrated instruction for one of their classes should contact the librarian who is liaison for their department.

Individualized Instruction
Students are encouraged to contact individual librarians if they need assistance with research, library resources, or any other information concern. Faculty are also encouraged to refer students to a librarian, if they find an individual who needs help in finding information for an assignment or a project.

Learning Outcomes for Library Instruction

Adopted in Spring 2021 by North Hall Library faculty, these Learning Outcomes for Library Instruction are used in support of Departmental and General Education Learning Outcomes for courses that include library instruction: 

Learning Outcome: Students will be able to determine their information need(s). 

Librarians might be asked to: 

  • Help students as they begin their research assignment

  • Teach students how to refine their research topics as they begin their research

  • Teach students how to find sources that help them incorporate different sides into their research

Emerging* 

Students will

  • Identify and articulate a research question

  • Identify stakeholders related to a topic and the scholarly conversation around it

Developing**

Proficient*** 

  • Identify gaps in the research and synthesize to create a thesis or hypothesis

Distinguished****

 

Learning Outcome: Students will be able to develop research strategies.

Librarians might be asked to: 

  • Teach students how to use the library website to find books and articles

  • Teach students how to search in the databases available through the library 

  • Prepare a LibGuide with links to resources for finding information on a topic

Emerging* 

  • Identify keywords for the research topic and use them to find sources

  • Find known items

  • Find information from appropriate sources

  • Explore general information sources (like the Article Search) to increase familiarity with the chosen topic

  • Adjust search strategies based on information learned from previous searches

  • Ask for assistance when encountering roadblocks to finding or accessing information

Developing**

  • Identify databases and resources relevant to their field of study

  • Construct searches using appropriate methods, including Boolean operators and truncators

  • Construct multiple search strategies using different keywords for the same concepts

  • Acknowledge and engage with differing viewpoints within a topic

Proficient*** 

  • Use controlled vocabulary, where appropriate

  • Identify confirmation bias in searching, both in source selection and search strategies 

  • Search for related sources by using cited references (“mining the bibliography”) 

  • Search for related sources by tracing who has used relevant sources and following the research forward
Distinguished****

 

Learning Outcome: Students will be able to interpret and evaluate research.

Librarians might be asked to: 

  • Teach students the difference between scholarly and popular sources

  • Teach students factors to consider when choosing sources

  • Teach students about the peer-review process

  • Teach students about identifying bias or conflicts of interest

Emerging* 

  • Evaluate source authority and accuracy

  • Evaluate the purpose of sources

  • Evaluate the relevance of a source to the research question or topic

Developing**

  • Analyze information to draw conclusions

  • Evaluate sources for bias or conflicts of interest

  • Confirm findings through multiple sources

  • Develop and maintain an open mind when encountering varied and conflicting information 

Proficient*** 

  • Understand the peer review process

Distinguished****

  • Recognize the cultural, physical, social, and historical contexts of an information source in order to understand how they influence the content

  • Demonstrate awareness of non-privileged voices and their role in understanding the universe of information

 

Learning Outcome: Students will be able to design a final product for their research and incorporate sources.

Librarians might be asked to: 

  • Teach students how to find help with citing their sources

  • Teach students how to find and use images in their research 

  • Talk with students about their options for publishing or presenting on their research

Emerging* 

  • Determine what medium the final product will be 

  • Integrate multiple sources to support a conclusion

  • Provide appropriate attribution of sources

  • Use electronic environments to organize, draft, revise, edit, and share or publish information

Developing**

  • Recognize that information may be perceived differently depending on format

  • Incorporate alternative and competing narratives

Proficient*** 

  • Select images based on usage rights for the presentation purpose

Distinguished****

  • Explore publication or presentation options based on topic, field, and audience

  • Recognize issues related to privacy, ethics, intellectual property, and copyright in order to respect the rights of others, comply with laws and contracts, or safeguard personal information

 

Learning Outcome: Students will be able to cite sources. 

Librarians might be asked to: 

  • Teach students how to find help with citing their sources

  • Teach students how to use a citation management tool

Emerging* 

  • Use appropriate tools to save, print, and/or organize information

  • Identify resource or source types in order to cite appropriately

Developing**

Proficient*** 

  • Students will cite/document sources appropriately for their discipline

  • Use citation management software in order to organize information

  • Understand the ethical and practical importance of citing sources

Distinguished****

 

 

* the “Emerging” level typically includes the 1000-level introductory courses
** the “Developing” level typically includes 2000-level courses
*** the “Proficient” level typically includes 3000-level courses
**** the “Distinguished” level typically includes 4000-level courses