Benefits of Librarian-Led Library Instruction
Students who receive information literacy instruction enjoy several benefits. A 2017 survey of 42,000 students in more than 1,700 courses at 12 major research universities* showed that:
- Retention rates were higher for students whose courses included IL instruction.
- The average first-year GPA for students whose courses included IL instruction was higher than for other students.
- Students who took IL instruction successfully completed 1.8 more credit hours per year than students who did not.
There are also benefits for instructors when students are more prepared for research assignments and have strong information literacy skills.
*Greater Western Library Alliance (2017). “The Impact of Information Literacy Instruction on Student Success: A Multi-Institutional Investigation and Analysis.” https://www.arl.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/The_Impact_of_Information_Literacy_Instruction_on_Student_Success_October_2017.pdf
Library Instruction classes can help students:
- Become familiar with library resources, spaces, and assistance to reduce library anxiety
- Learn research strategies for successful searches throughout the Libraries’ catalog and databases
- Focus a research topic and develop key search terms
- Distinguish primary from secondary sources
- Distinguish between scholarly, popular, and journalistic sources
How a Session Works
- The library instruction session takes place during your class time, on the date you choose.
- A hands-on computer environment is most effective, whether the students have their own devices or it takes place in a computer classroom.
- You may opt to have a librarian visit your class or for your class to visit the library--the East Mesa Library has a hands-on computer classroom.
- Request a full 75-minute session, a brief 30-minute session.
- If you would like an asynchronous option (via a Canvas module) you will be contacted by a DACC Librarian to collaborate on content and learning outcomes.
If you teach a Hybrid or an online Synchronous class:
- We can deliver Library instruction via Zoom or Teams
- These sessions work best when all students have access to their own laptop and Zoom session
To ensure a successful library instruction class, faculty are asked to:
- Submit your request one or more weeks prior to your desired date.
- Students benefit best from library instruction when they are in the process of working on a research assignment. i.e. when they have an information need.
- Provide the syllabus and any specific readings or assignments associated with the class visit to the librarian.
- Be present at the library class along with your students. If you can’t be there for some reason, please assign a designee or the class will be rescheduled.
