Library Assignments, Handouts, and More

We often develop specialized Library handouts, assignments, and websites for particular classes. Let us know what you need, and we'll work closely with you to ensure that students have the information they need to perform research for your class.

Take a look at some examples of work we've done in the past. If you see something you like, you can request that we use it or adapt it for your class.

Note: To open the Word documents below, we recommend you use Internet Explorer, not Firefox.

Assignments

• Academic Search Premier for Beginners (doc) | pdf
• Reading 80 Database Exercise (doc) | pdf
• Reading 90 Library Project (doc) | pdf
• Research in the Health Sciences for Beginners (doc) | pdf
• Standard Library Assignment for Effective Learning (doc) | pdf
• Simplified Standard Library Assignment (html only)

Handouts

• Databases vs. the Web (doc) | pdf
• ESL Materials in the LCC Library (doc) | pdf
• How to Find Scientific Articles (doc) | pdf
• Library Cheat Sheet for Allied Health (doc) | pdf
• Popular Magazines vs. Scholarly Journals (doc) | pdf

Screencasts (must have Flash to view)

• CINAHL (1:54)
• Course Reserves (2:35)
• Finding a Study Mentioned on a Website (2:30)
• Finding Journals in a Particular Field of Study (2:30)
• Summit Borrowing (2:22)

Websites

• American Indians of the Pacific Northwest
• Career Information
• Pulp Fiction Library Guide
• Web 2.0

Tips for Designing Effective Library Assignments:

• Keep the assignment simple, and assume your students have minimal knowledge of the library.
• Consult with a librarian about your library assignment. Provide librarians with a copy of your assignment.
• Make sure the Library has the resources you are recommending to your students. We are happy to consider purchasing any materials you may need for your class.
• Arrange for a library presentation to introduce students to the library.
• Encourage students to ask for help at the reference desk.
• Try out assignments yourself, to make sure they can be completed realistically.

• "Prepackaged" exercises from a textbook, unless you are sure our library has the resources specified in the textbook exercise.
• Scavenger hunts for books. Roaming around the library looking for trivia is not research and tends to promote learned helplessness.
• Incomplete or incorrect citations to sources you wish students to use. Consult a librarian for a complete and accurate citation.
• Limiting research to a particular resource. Thirty students trying to use one or two books or magazine articles is stressful to everyone, and shortens the lifespan of the resource.