Library Instruction Program
The Library Instruction program seeks to provide sufficient instruction throughout the student's residency and helps the student in becoming a 21st century research scholar.
Library Orientation
As part of the Freshman Seminar class, Library Orientation is provided to every student who enters the university. Basic information about the library, general policies, the Library of Congress classification system, and the various services provided are discussed during this introductory instructional session.
Pre-requisite Skills
- Students take survey for Pre-Assessment of Skills. The results or a summary of the results of the survey should be sent or discussed with the Library Instruction Coordinator (Ms. Namei) prior to scheduling of instructional session.
Research Strategies I
The second level of instruction is Research Strategies I, which is recommended for presentation during first year English courses or other courses where students are expected to use the online catalog and electronic databases for specific assignments. This session can be designed to offer instruction on a specific database such as JSTOR, Lexis-Nexis, PsyArticles, Pro-Quest Nursing, Pro-Quest Education, or Science Direct etc.
Pre-requisite Skills
- Should include information listed above in the Orientation session.
Research Strategies II
The third instructional session is Research Strategies II. It is designed to help students develop adequate skills to conduct extensive research that will lead to poster sessions, research projects, or theses. All steps begin with defining the research topic to evaluating the final product are discussed in this informational session.
Pre-requisite Skills
- Information acquired in the two prior instructional sessions, as well as how to use the electronic databases.
- Students should also have some basic experience with bibliographic citations, footnotes, outlining, and preparing a bibliography.
Term Paper Clinics
Term Paper Clinics can be requested when students have no prior experience in composing a term paper. Sessions are structured on using databases, print resources, use of microforms, and identifying credible web sites.
Other Instructional Sessions
Additional instructional sessions can be requested.
- Students (individual or small groups) and faculty can request additional instruction on understanding the Library of Congress, use of databases, microforms, and identifying credible web sites.
- Other instructional sessions available are: professional literature (discussions include print resources, handbooks, encyclopedias, journals and electronic resources) within a specific subject field, sessions for distance education and athletics. Sessions under construction are: plagiarism, sessions specific to graduate programs, and perspective teachers.
- MLA or APA style manual.
- Instructional sessions such as research techniques for critical analysis, career searches, etc. can be developed upon request with at least two weeks notice.
- Additionally, instruction sessions are offered to local high school classes to introduce resources that may not be available to their school or public library and to familiarize them with a college level library.
Staff
Carl Leak, Library Instruction Coordinator - Instructor for Orientation, Research Strategies I & II, and English Courses. Please contact him to request a session or for more information on the library's instruction program: (336) 750-2453 or leakca@wssu.edu
Patricia Commander - Health Sciences/Nursing
Thomas Flynn - Computer Science
Forrest Foster - Mass Communication
Micheal Frye - Science
Melinda Livas - Distance Services
Janet Malliet - Behavioral Science and Social Work
Vicki S. Miller - Instructor for Orientation, Research Strategies I & II and Education Courses.
