I want students to become familiar with the library and to use its resources, including consulting (human) librarians. Additionally, I think it is important that first-year students begin to understand the concept of "expertise," and seeing that a librarian has research expertise that their professors and the students themselves do not is an important lesson. They did better research for the target research paper AND for later papers for our class. ”
Teach with the Libraries
Request InstructionContact your subject librarian to talk about ways you can teach with the Libraries, or complete the instruction request form to get started. In a library instruction session, subject librarians collaborate with faculty to provide point-of-need instruction on disciplinary research skills and specific resources available through the library. To design an effective library instruction session, please review these guidelines for instructors. A librarian may request an initial consultation to discuss learning goals and details of the session. |
Online instruction
Course guides
Subject librarians can create research guides highlighting key resources for your course. See example Course Guides here.
Northwestern Libraries Canvas Modules
The Libraries developed three Canvas modules to strengthen students’ digital and information literacy skills. Adding one or more of these modules to your Canvas course provides students with an opportunity to improve their knowledge of the research process and build their understanding of the library’s print and online holdings. Faculty can review the modules in Canvas Commons. You can import one or more of the modules to your Canvas course, or contact your subject librarian or Anne Zald for more customized instruction.
Sage Campus
Northwestern Libraries now provides access to Sage Campus, a suite of online courses focused on research and data literacy skills. Sage Campus provides an accessible and flexible option to grow critical academic and research skills with 40 self-paced online mini-courses. Initial access requires registration with your Northwestern email address. Registered users can access from anywhere at: https://classroom.sagepub.com
Faculty testimonials

Bringing my classes to special collections...would be impossible without the amazingly knowledgeable and generous staff. The librarians make the visit possible and also help shepherd students through individual follow up visits.”


This assignment comes the first week of fall quarter freshman year--I believe actively getting the students to the library and to see what they can get from the library as early as possible in their academic careers is vital to future success.”