Library User Education

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Research Guides: Learn the most important resources for your discipline.

Ask a Librarian: Chat, Email, Phone, or Visit a Librarian

The Central University Libraries provide group and individual instruction for students and faculty in research techniques, library resources, and emerging information technologies.

Designed to complement the instruction students receive in their classes, these hands-on library sessions help students succeed at university-level research and writing, teaching them the skills they need to be information savvy.

Group Instruction
Librarians consult with the instructor and plan the session to cover applicable concepts and materials. The instructing librarian will prepare research guides for the class.

Instruction sessions may include one or more of the following:

• Using the library catalog
• Constructing search strategies
• Choosing research databases
• Evaluating information resources
• Using the Internet appropriately for academic research
• Tours of library facilities

Sessions must be scheduled a minimum of one week in advance and the instructor is expected to attend the session.

Faculty Consultations
Reference librarians will meet with faculty to help with personal research or  to create effective library-based assignments. The objectives of this program are to make sure the SMU libraries have sufficient resources to meet the goals of the assignment and to determine if special instruction for the class is advisable. Appointments may be made by phone, email, or in person.

Research Consultations - Instruction by Appointment
A Library Research Consultation is an appointment by a student or a small group of students with a librarian who can help them. The biggest advantage of using this service is that it gives the librarian time to prepare prior to the appointment, so that we can be more helpful.

A Library Research Consultation may consist of assistance in:

• Getting familiar with college-level research tools
• Identifying resources relevant to a specific topic or research question
• Becoming acquainted with SMU libraries and services