Dear Faculty and Staff,

 The library would like to invite your classes to take advantage of our bibliographic instruction sessions. Call Christine Rudecoff in the library (684-6055) to schedule a session; or email rudecoc@morrisville.edu

·         MLA and APA instruction and handouts.

·         Using Library Subscribed Journal, Newspaper and Magazine databases.

·         Search engines:  instruction and introduction to search engines beyond the traditional Google and Yahoo engines.

The library's program of Bibliographic Instruction is designed to introduce students to the basic sources and library research strategies needed for a specific course or assignment. The presentations are designed for the course assignment, while also emphasizing principles applicable to future information gathering needs in the discipline.

The presentation may include the following: introduction to library services and collections; the Online Catalog System; periodical indexes and databases in various formats--print, online; internet resources; use of reference books and other library materials. Students may also receive handouts listing important sources or procedures.

Throughout the presentation the Librarian will illustrate how to think critically about information needs by defining what is needed, investigation appropriate sources, and evaluating sources of information for relevance, reliability, and objectivity.

Cover Basics

In a BI class period, the Librarian can address the class as a whole and answer basic questions about the library, relevant sources, how to use them, and where they are located on campus networks or in the Library. This enables the students to begin research on their own and allows the librarians at the Reference Desk to help students with specific problems as they arise.

Reduce Fear

Some students are reluctant to ask for assistance. The bibliographic instruction sessions encourage students to ask for help by introducing them to a reference librarian who knows about their assignment. Students should also be able to express their information needs more accurately and confidently after participating in a bibliographic instruction session. The session will not answer all their questions, it will however, make it easier for them to ask a better question.

Improve Communication

Communication is improved between students, librarians, and instructors when all get together to discuss ways of gathering information which will satisfy a course assignment. It also helps the librarians determine what additional sources are needed in the Library to meet student and faculty needs.

Increase Efficiency

After a bibliographic instruction session, students should be able to retrieve information more efficiently with less frustration. Our aim is to improve the quality of their coursework and increase their independence in learning.

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