Library & Information Literacy Instruction - Faculty Resources - Canisius University - Andrew L. Bouwhuis, S.J. Library at Canisius University

Information Literacy Instruction

The Canisius University Library Instruction Program supports the college's mission by offering outstanding programs distinguished by transformative learning experiences. The Library Instruction Program is supported by committed and innovative instruction librarians who teach information literacy and critical thinking to foster civic engagement to become well-informed citizens.

Click each tab to learn about our offerings.

The librarians will partner with class instructors to help shape their approaches to information literacy and develop their students' college level research abilities. We will develop a session tailored to discipline-specific course outcomes and assignments.

Instruction Request Form
Please complete this form to request library instruction. In addition this form lists a variety of information literacy skills and competencies to help us plan a session that will meet your goals for the session and student learning.

The embedded librarian

An embedded librarian is ‘embedded’ into a course as a resource dedicated to the students in that course. The librarian is added to the course management system as an instructor, providing better access for students to the librarian and the library’s resources in an online space where they are already working. Any class that uses Desire 2 Learn can take advantage of working with an embedded librarian. In addition, the librarian can attend class sessions with the students and can offer in-class presentations on various topics regarding their information literacy.

Benefit to students

Embedded librarians facilitate student research and promote the use of library resources. The librarian can:

offer individual attention to students during the research process;
serve as a familiar contact for library related questions;
work with students to resolve access issues;
provide specially designed content for the course, including customized guides, and discussion posts with suggested resources, tutorials, and search strategies.

Partnering with Instructors

The librarian is added as an instructor to the course management pages for the course. This will allow the librarian to add library-related links, guides and information to the course pages. If instructors would like, librarians can also participate in discussion boards, share tutorials or send notices on helpful library or information literacy concepts to students at appropriate times during the semester.

Request an Embedded Librarian for Your Course
Complete this form to request an embedded librarian and to learn more about the levels of service we offer through this program.

The library creates custom Libguides tailored to specific classes upon request. We include relevant databases and other quality sources to help students successfully execute a research assignment, with your course assignments in mind. If you are interested, please fill out the form at http://library.canisius.edu/libguide-request-form

ABEC Course Guide
Guide created for specific course assignments for Dr. Joshua Russell

For Individuals - The Book a Librarian Program is a good option for any student who would like assistance with a research project. An appointment can be made to work one on one with a librarian to locate appropriate databases, develop research questions, narrow results, and choose and cite quality sources. If you know of a student who is struggling or working on a thesis, please encourage them to contact us for a Book a Librarian appointment.

Remember the Reference Desk? Consultation with a Librarian
This form will assist students with starting their research. It is designed to prompt students to frame a research question and begin to find resources that will help them answer the question. After showing the form to the instructor, they will either be referred to meet with a librarian or be cleared to continue their work, depending on the quality of what they present in the form. The form can be tailored to the assignment/class.