Library and Research Instruction
Forsyth Library collaborates with educators to teach information literacy, research skills, and lifelong learning skills that students can transfer to other courses and apply beyond the University. These services are available to faculty, staff and students of Fort Hays State University, and to schools in the surrounding area.
Schedule a Library Instruction SessionFor a successful library instruction session
- Schedule Library instruction sessions at least one week in advance. Learning Commons instruction sessions need to be booked at least two weeks in advance.
- Attend the session with your students and engage in the instruction. Librarians do not serve as classroom substitutes when faculty are absent. Faculty must be present for all in-person library instruction sessions.
- Students tend to engage with library instruction content most when it is directly relevant to an assignment they are working on at the time. We suggest that you:
- Tie sessions to an assignment in your class.
- Schedule sessions at the point of need.
- Schedule multiple sessions as needed to follow the progression of your assignments.
To schedule a session, please complete the Instruction Session Request Form
You will be contacted by the instructing Librarian to collaborate with you to design an appropriate instructional session. Instruction topics may include:
- Library Tour
- Students will learn about the different items and services housed in Forsyth Library.
- Search Strategy
- Students will be able to choose, narrow, and broaden a research topic. They will be able to identify keywords and phrases to use when researching a topic.
- General Research Sources
- Students will be able to search and locate Forsyth Library items, both in print using a call number, and online, using the online catalog.
- Databases: What they are and where to find them
- Students will be able to define databases and scholarly articles. They will be able to identify paths to find articles and databases through Forsyth Library.
- Available as an online module- this is excellent to use in a "flipped" setting before students attend a Library instruction session.
- Sources and Websites Evaluation
- Students will be able to analyze sources for their purpose, credibility, accuracy, authority, and relevance to their research topic.
- Types of Information Sources
- Students will be able to compare and contrast journals, popular magazines, and other information sources such as blogs, ads, and reference works.
- Interlibrary Loan
- Students will be able to create an account and log into ILL, request an article, and learn how to access articles received.
- Cite Sources
- Students will be able to identify when to cite information using APA or MLA. They will be able to create a reference and in-text citation for a source.
- Advanced Strategies
- Students will be able to search specialized resources for the field or specific research assignment.
- Research Guide
- An online guide to information resources specific to your topic, assignment, or class. See http://fhsuguides.fhsu.edu/ for existing guides.
- Online Webinar or Tutorial
- An online lesson for FHSU Online students or online component of your class.
- Learning Commons Instruction
- Presentations about various software and apps including Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, iOS and Android apps and more; creating and delivering presentations; audio and video production; and various other topics relating to technology.
- Note that Learning Commons instruction needs to be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
This is not an exhaustive list of topics. We would be happy to collaborate with you to meet your student's needs and can customize sessions to your class.
Contact
For more information, ideas, and collaboration between faculty and Forsyth Library contact:
Robyn Hartman
Information and Digital Literacy Librarian
(785) 628-4340
rchartman@fhsu.edu
For quick research help at any time during library hours, call 785-639-6180, or e-mail us at refserv@fhsu.edu.