Library Instruction Program at Sarah Lawrence College’s Esther Raushenbush Library
The goal of the library instruction program is to teach students to become confident researchers who understand that research is an iterative process and use critical thinking about both their research topics and their sources. Our instruction is designed to be active and engaging; each type of instruction session will allow students to learn new research skills and build on old ones.
FYS Library Instruction
The library aims to schedule library research sessions for all FYS classes to orient incoming students to both the library resources and services, and the fundamentals of college research itself. This hour-long session is invaluable for students as it lays the foundation for research skills and critical thinking that will greatly benefit them in their coursework, conference work, overall experience at SLC, and life after college.
Schedule a session for your FYS Class
Library Workshops
Workshops are open to all students, staff, and faculty. Selection varies by semester. Check your email or library social media (@slclibrary on instagram) for information as they are scheduled.
Book a Library Instruction Session
Faculty are encouraged to book a library instruction class, which can be tailored for specific courses or assignments, to increase their students' research skills. These sessions can be either over Zoom or in person, and either in the library (subject to space availability) or in the classroom.
Sessions
Introduction to Research
Duration: 1 hour
Location: Library, Online, or Your Classroom
This library session will cover:
- Library Services
- Searching the catalog and databases
- Research techniques and strategies
Appropriate for:
- everyone!
- classes that need a "refresher" on research skills and tools
- transfer students who need an introduction to SLC library
- first year graduate students
Intermediate/Advanced Research & Subject Specific Research
Duration: 1 hour
Location: Library, Online, or Your Classroom
This library session is customizable to your class’s topic, research projects, and skill level, and will generally cover:
- Advanced database & catalog searching
- Troubleshooting difficult searches
- Subject-specific sources and research methods
Appropriate for:
- FYS classes that have already had an FYS library orientation
- Classes where all students are familiar with research basics
- Graduate Students
- Undergraduate Thesis students
Citation
Duration: 30 minutes
Location: Online or Your Classroom
This library session will cover:
- Your required citation format (e.g. MLA, APA, Chicago/Turabian)
- Avoiding plagiarism
- Citation managers (Zotero or Mendeley)
Appropriate for:
- All students
Library Services Lightening Visit
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Location: Online or Your Classroom
For this brief library session, a librarian will visit your class to talk about library services and a few key tools. Topics may include:
- Research Consultations
- Interlibrary Loan
- Reserves
- Research Guides
- Using Call Numbers and Navigating the Library
- Circulation and Fine Policies
Appropriate for:
- any class in the beginning of the semester
- transfer students
- classes where there is a particular reliance on reserves, ILL, or using physical library resources