In our last posts about the new FYS information Literacy curriculum (Part 1, Part 2), we shared how exciting this work is for us. We know, however, that the curriculum and activities are only as good as the partnerships with faculty behind it. I wanted to take a moment to talk about what that partnership looks like in practice and how we can do our best work together to encourage the very best from our students.
A Little Prep Goes A Long Way
The single biggest thing faculty can do to make a library session successful is share materials with us ahead of time. When we have your syllabus and assignments before we walk in the room, we can create a class grounded in your objectives and make the class relevant to students. Without that context, we are teaching in the abstract.
We take a lot of pride in our classes, and to develop an engaging and useful class, we do need ample preparation time. We often do our own research, tweak activities, and adjust content to ensure classes are maximally useful to students. We ask for at least one week’s notice, but earlier is better! We want to say yes to visiting your class, and lead time helps us do that.
It Really Matters When You Show Up
When faculty are present and engaged during the library session, students take it seriously. When faculty are not present or visibly distracted, students notice that too. Your presence is a signal that this is part of the course. We love engaging with you and your students, and that engagement makes the sessions more relevant and engaging for everyone. Sessions where everyone – including faculty, librarians, and students – learn something new are the most energizing and exciting!
Break Your Assignments Up
One thing we’ve seen make a real difference is when faculty scaffold research assignments. We recommend building in checkpoints like topic proposals, annotated bibliographies, and outlines. It provides the structure that first year students, especially, need when faced with an overwhelming project that might be new to them. It also reinforces to students that finding, reading, and understanding academic sources takes time. Librarians are always happy to assist with these checkpoints by visiting class periodically before major due dates.
When the partnership between librarian and faculty works well, students feel it. They arrive at their research assignments with real skills, confidence, and support. We are genuinely glad to be doing this work alongside you.
Questions? Please reach out to Ashley Hanson or your FYS Library Liaison anytime.
