Library Instruction

College of San Mateo Librarians can provide information literacy instruction for face-to-face, online, or hybrid classes in either synchronous or asynchronous modalities. Instruction can range from a general introduction to the Library and its services to an instruction session customized to meet a specific assignment, learning outcome, or need.

CSM Library faculty use the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education to inform the design and teaching of instruction sessions. We encourage all faculty to learn a bit more about this framework.

Examples of skills that can be taught within an information literacy instruction session.

• Finding, evaluating, and using articles or other scholarly content using research databases or OneSearch.
• Finding authoritative, credible internet resources appropriate for use in college level research projects
• Research strategies, techniques, and evaluation of sources - in multiple formats for many uses
• Citation formats and strategies for avoiding plagiarism

The CSM Library can also create support materials for your courses such as research guides and short videos to help your students.

Request Library Instruction or Other Library Support

Contact Teresa Morris if you have questions about library instruction.

• When scheduling a session, you will be asked to include the following details:
• The date and time you would like to schedule the orientation(s)
  (two weeks advance notice is needed in most cases)
• Your contact details: phone number and email address
• Course number or program name
• Course title
• Number of students
• Any special requests, or special accommodations needed
• You will receive confirmation of the date and time of your scheduled instruction session.
• Plan to accompany your class to the instruction session.

Note: Instructors are required to accompany their class, due to minimum qualification requirements. If you are unable to attend the session, you may make arrangements with your Dean for a substitute instructor to attend in your place. If an instructor or substitute fails to accompany their class, we are required to cancel the session.

Library instruction sessions can be scheduled any time the library is open, and by special arrangement, after hours, when the library is closed.