Creating Effective Library Assignments

Well-designed course-related library assignments can be effective in developing information literacy skills. By working together, librarians and instructors can develop assignments that provide a meaningful learning experience utilizing easily accessible research resources from the library collections.
 

Tips for Developing Assignments

Currency. Information sources are constantly changing. New resources are available on our Web site and through OhioLINK on a continuous basis. A librarian can point you to the most current and relevant sources for your class.

Feasibility. It is important to ensure that the library has adequate information in a particular area. We'll be happy to acquire the material you need if we don't already have it - please contact your subject librarian.

Variety. It is important to incorporate choice into assignments so that large numbers of students are not looking for the same book, article, or index. Circulating items that will be needed by many students should be placed on reserve. Any faculty member or instructor who is affiliated with University of Cincinnati Libraries or Raymond Walters College Library may participate in Electronic Reserves. Consult the list of  E-Reserves Participating Libraries for the appropriate contact person. 

Reference consultation. Refer students to the librarian in the appropriate College or Departmental Library or the Info Commons. Chat Reference service is also available.

Time frames. Providing deadlines for different stages of the assignment is useful for larger research projects.

Correct terminology. Students are easily confused by terms related to research. Students may also need help choosing the correct words and pharases that describe there research need.

Web reality check. For most assignments students should neither be directed to find their information exclusively on the web, nor be told to avoid the web. Students need to be able to differentiate what is available through the University Library web page as opposed to the general Internet and choose the best sources for their need.

Citing sources. If there is a documentation style you prefer, it is useful to specify that style when the assignment is introduced. Please point your students to Need Help Citing Sources? and information on RefWorks, a tool that compiles bibliographies and footnotes and is available free to all UC students and faculty. Educating students about citing sources is an important step in preventing plagiarism.

A copy for us. Please provide a copy of your assignment to the Info Commons or the library your students will use. We can provide better service if we know what students are working on and what resources you wish them to use.

Some Ideas for Library Assignments
Problem-Based Learning Activities (In Bowling Green State University's WebWIZARD)