What is Library Instruction?

Mission:

The University Library and the Library Instruction program understand the importance of Information Literacy and life-long learning. Therefore, the Library Instruction program seeks to use each teachable moment to produce Information Literate students.

Information Literacy is the ability to:

"recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information."1

The Library Instruction program supports this mission by using the appropriate standards in all instruction sessions.

Objective:

Our objective is to lead in the process of making each Samford student information literate. We accomplish this by applying the competency standards in all instruction scenarios.

Goals:

• To treat each student encounter as a teachable moment.
• To increase user awareness of available learning resources & tools.
• To teach all students how to effectively evaluate resources.
• To assist students in developing effective research skills & strategies.
• To promote information literacy across the curriculum.
• To encourage all students to become lifelong learners.
• To increase the number of collaborative opportunities.
• To support the mission of the university and library.

Policies:

• It is strongly recommended that the professor be present for the instruction session. Students benefit from the value that the professor's presence brings to the session.
  
  
• It is strongly encouraged that the professor participate in the session. By interjecting helpful hints from the professor's own experience as well as emphasizing key resources and skills, students are able to connect the content of the instruction with the content of the course and the finished product their instructor expects.
  
  
• Instruction is most effective at the time of need. We ask that you schedule instruction along with an assignment or after research topics have been selected.
  
  
• It is strongly recommended that requests be received seven business days prior to date of the session. The lab space and instructor time can get very busy and it can be difficult to schedule without this much notice.
  
  
• When requesting a session, please send either a copy of the assignment or the course syllabus to allow for greater customization of the session to the students' specific needs.
  
  
• When requesting a session, please let us know in advance if there is a need for special accommodations. We will be more than happy to make the necessary arrangements.
  
  

FAQ