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
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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.
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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 Credo
- how to conduct basic searches in Opposing Viewpoints
ENG 102, College Composition II
Students learn:
- 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 ENG 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.
Library Instruction Opportunities
Day Classes Summerdale:
- 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 (Summerdale and Lancaster):
- 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 Blackboard Collaborate
- 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 and Formatting | 1 hour |
| Citation Managers (EndNote Web or Mendeley) | 20 minutes |
| Database Instruction | 1 hour |
| Google Scholar | 20 minutes |
| Infographic Design (using Piktochart and/or Excel) | 1 hour |
| How to Paraphrase | 20 minutes |
| How to Avoid Committing Plagiarism | 20 minutes |
| PowerPoint Design Basics | 1 hour |
| How to Read a Scientific Journal Article | 45 minutes |
| Research Process (in general) | 15 minutes |
Chat with a Librarian
Contact the Library
Library hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 6pm
Friday: 8am - 3pm
Additional hours are available by appointment.
Contact:
Email: Library@centralpenn.edu
Phone: (717) 728-2500
Text: (260) 2ASKREF
(260) 227-5733