Burke Memorial Library



	Philosophy

	The Library is strongly committed to providing systematic instruction on library use to all students. We encourage the faculty to routinely include library use in their assignments; to contact the instructional librarians for consultation or training; and to consider the research skill needs of their students, not only for specific courses, but for their entire academic and professional careers.

	Current Program

	All new students, including transfer students, receive a one-hour orientation to the library staff, facilities, and use of two major electronic tools: the online catalog (SIRSI) and an online index/ abstract/ full-text database of academic journals, Expanded Academic Index ASAP . All second semester freshman English students receive an instructional session designed to help them complete their first term paper. Once students declare majors, they receive instruction that helps them become familiar with the information resources they will need as professionals.

	Classroom Instructional Support
	In addition to sessions for freshman and declared majors, instructional librarians will respond to additional requests from faculty. The content, format, location, and length of sessions is developed jointly, after conferring with faculty. Instruction can be designed for general or very specific courses and may include any of the following elements: general orientation to the library—how to find books and articles—simple database searches Information Literacy Tutorial —all at once or a lesson at a time, this self paced tutorial will get you on track to becoming knowledgable about selected, evaluationg and using information. Research Techniques —how to analyze information needs—matching needs to available tools—use of indexes, abstracts, online searches Subject Area Research —an in-depth look at a research tool or tools in a particular discipline Specific tools —Internet search engines or World Wide Web sources in a specific area Instruction may be conducted in the classroom, the library, or a combination of the two. The process of planning instruction for your students begins with a memo, telephone call, or e-mail message to the Instructional Librarians. Because of the size of our staff, we ask at least two weeks advance notice. Instructional librarians will do all in their power to meet your needs, but, on occasion, they may be unable to fulfill your request, especially if requests exceed staff resources.

	Library Instruction
	For instruction or more information contact either Bret Heim: Tel 380-3875 ; email: heim@shc.edu , or Richard Weaver: Tel 380-3873 ; email rweaver@shc.edu or speak with your Library Liaison