Library Briefings

Welcomes, web pages, and workshops

How the Library can help your students find the right resources

Yes, they can Google, but a new generation of students is arriving on campus lacking more sophisticated research skills. Even graduate students are sometimes unfamiliar with key reference sources in their disciplines. Recent acquisitions by the Library have also dramatically expanded the resources available to students online. Librarians are ready to help your students understand this information landscape, so they can find what they need when they need it.

We offer customized orientation sessions that will introduce your students to the Library’s resources and show them how to navigate the myriad electronic and print resources available to them. We can tailor these sessions to fit the material being presented in the class and focus attention on resources that students are likely to use for course assignments. Sessions can be arranged for any subject and all levels from freshman to graduate.

In addition, librarians can prepare a web page specifically to provide your class with quick links to important databases, reference materials, and citation guides. Class pages also include Library contact information so students know where to turn for help when they need it. These web pages can be linked from a course page to enable you to integrate library resources beyond reserve material. (See sample page.)

To learn more or to arrange for a library visit for your class, contact Natalie Pelster, User Education Coordinator, at x1-8735 or n-pelster@northwestern.edu

The Reference Department and 2East also present workshops on targeted topics each quarter. Recent topics include “Second Life - Virtual Worlds in Education,” “An Introduction to EndNote Bibliographic Software,” and “Working with Google Scholar.” Reference workshops are intended for anyone affiliated with the University and have been heavily attended by University support staff as well as students. Workshops can also be customized for groups. Let Reference know what you’re interested in and they can arrange a presentation, either in a Library classroom or in your own department.

The 2East New Technology Series is specifically intended for NU faculty who want to take advantage of the teaching and research capabilities of digital media, course management systems, online archives, advanced visualization technologies, electronic journals, and other emerging technologies.

Scott W. Garton
Reference Librarian
s-garton@northwestern.edu
x1-3825