CTE - Center for Teaching Excellence: Library Instruction
Information Literacy in the Curriculum
At Central Penn, both the library and teaching faculty are responsible for the information literacy development of students. The library is currently formally embedded in two 100-level courses. Faculty who assign research projects are expected to provide students with research instruction and support. Faculty are encouraged to invite the library to collaborate on research assignment design, instruct students in research and information literacy topics, and/or supply supplemental materials for the course, such as recommended readings or the creation of a research guide tailored to your course.
Information Literacy Resources
- Information Literacy VALUE Rubric The Information Literacy VALUE Rubric was developed by the AACU as a way to evaluate information literacy in undergraduate students. It is based off of ACRL's Standards for Information Literacy.
- Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education (ACRL) The information literate student . . . 1. determines the nature and extent of the information needed 2. accesses needed information effectively and efficiently 3. summarizes the main ideas to be extracted from the information gathered 4. individually or as a member of a group, uses information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose 5. understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally
- The Information Literacy User’s Guide: An Open, Online Textbook Feel free to remix, tweak, build upon, and link to this work non-commercially as long as you: 1. credit the original creators, and 2. license your new creation under identical terms
- Formal Writing Assessments by Level (Central Penn) This document indicates what writing assessments are appropriate for each college level, based on the existing general education curriculum.
Requesting an Instruction Session
If you would like to request an instruction session, email library@centralpenn.edu at least one week in advance. In your email, please include:
- The course code or name
- When and where the class meets
- If you would like the librarian to request a computer lab
- How many students are enrolled in the course
- The topic(s) you would like covered
- A copy of the assignment instructions and rubric (if applicable)
- Optional (but helpful): a copy of your syllabus
- At least three possible dates for the instruction session
Once your email is received, a librarian will get in touch with you confirming a date and details.
Embedded Curriculum
Where is library instruction already embedded into the Central Penn curriculum?
IDS 101, CPC Foundations
Students learn about:
- library services
- library resources
- how to conduct basic searches in the library online catalog
- how to conduct basic searches in the main library databases (Credo, Opposing Viewpoints, Gale, EBSCO)
IDS 102, Introduction to Information Literacy
Students learn:
- how to conduct searches in the library online catalog, especially focusing on using ebooks
- how to conduct and refine searches in EBSCOhost
- how to conduct and refine searches in Gale
- how to search by subject term
**If you teach either IDS 101 or IDS 102, a librarian will contact you before term begins to discuss the library's involvement in the course.
Special note: Capstone has an in-depth research guide created by the library already embedded into the course shell in Blackboard.
- Capstone Guide Online research guide for Capstone students
Library Instruction Opportunities
Day Classes:
- Instruction sessions (by request; view menu below)
- Reference - in person, phone, email, text, or chat
- Research guides created about specific topics or designed for certain courses
Evening/Blended Classes:
- Instruction sessions (by request; view menu below)
- Reference - phone, email, text or chat
- Research guides created about specific topics or designed for certain courses
Online Classes:
- Instruction session webinars (by request; view menu below)
- via Teams
- recordings made available to faculty within one business day
- Reference: phone, email, text, or chat
- Research guides created for specific topics or designed for particular classes
- YouTube videos (feel free to link to or embed any of them in your course in Blackboard!)
Instruction Sessions Menu
The following topics are instruction sessions often requested by faculty and how long they typically take. If you would like a librarian to address a topic not on this list or spend more time on a particular topic, just let us know! We're happy to accommodate your students' unique learning needs.
| APA Citation Resources | 1 hour |
| Database Instruction | 1 hour |
| Google Scholar | 20 minutes |
| How to Avoid Committing Plagiarism | 20 minutes |
| How to Read a Scientific Journal Article | 45 minutes |
| Research Process (in general) | 15 minutes |
| Banned Books | 1 hour |
Chat with a Librarian
Contact the Library
The Library is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday from 10AM - 5PM and Wednesday from 1PM - 8PM.
If you need help from the librarian or need to access the library resources outside of those hours let us know!
Call or text 717-728-2500 or email Library@centralpenn.edu to make an appointment.
Remember the Learning Hub is also open with lots of great faculty and staff willing to help with tutoring, advising, and general questions.