About Library Instruction

The Research and Instruction Librarians are committed to collaborating with faculty to support our students' development of critical research skills.

Requesting Library Instruction

To request research instruction for your class, contact the librarian for your department or use the Instruction Request button:

Options for Library Instruction:

• First-Year Seminars (FSEM)
  • Each FSEM has an assigned librarian who can work with instructors to design a session relevant to your class. In general, we focus on essential learning outcomes for students in their first semester, such as designing an effective search strategy, evaluating different types of information, and utilizing appropriate sources.
• Single or Multiple Instruction Sessions
  • We can deliver a single session or multiple sessions depending upon the goals of the instructor. Please let us know how long you would like us to talk, and we will develop a presentation within the framework of the allotted time.
• Course Research Guides
  • Course specific research guides can be requested. These may be used with or without a class session.
• Assignment Design/Consultation
  • We are happy to discuss ways to design research projects that incorporate library resources and provide students with opportunities to develop research skills.

Library Classroom 225

This is a flexible learning space that seats approximately 20 students. It features movable tables, an instructor podium, a document camera, a web camera, and a whiteboard. Students can connect their own devices to the UMW Wi-Fi or use a laptop computer from the cart in the classroom.

Timing

We recommend that you plan an instruction session at a time when students are beginning to work on their research projects. A library instruction session during the first weeks of the semester might be too early, depending on your course schedule and assignment deadlines.

SC&UA Instruction

Special Collections & University Archives also offers specialized library instruction.

Visit the SC&UA Research & Instruction page or email archives@umw.edu to learn more.

First Year Seminar Modules:

The library also provides an FSEM Research Guide, which replaces the modules used in previous years, and a Canvas quiz for your students to complete.

Two sections of the guide and the quiz are required for all FSEM students. For details about these requirements, please speak with April Wynn, Director of the First-Year Experience.