When you think of the library, your first thought might be of books, but here at Black Hawk College, our Reference and Instruction Librarians Atticus and Cat do so much more than check out materials. In fact, they spend a lot of their time out of the library, joining classes and working directly with students to teach them essential research and information skills that extend far beyond the pages of any book.

What Are Library Instruction Sessions?

Over the past 12 months, our librarians have been busy supporting student success across both campuses and online. We’ve had the pleasure of joining 81 classes and connecting with over 1,000 students during that time! But what happens during these instruction sessions, and why are they so valuable?

Research Skills and Information Literacy

If you've got a research project, our librarians are here to help. During instruction sessions, we guide students through the entire research process, from brainstorming a topic to finding credible sources and even crafting the perfect citation. Our goal? To give every student the skills they need to confidently navigate the world of information.

More Than Just Research: What We Teach

Library instruction sessions are customized to fit the needs of each class, and we cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • Source Evaluation: With so much information (and misinformation) online, it’s crucial to know how to separate fact from fiction. We teach students to evaluate sources, spot fake news, and ensure they’re using reliable, credible information for their projects.
  • Citations: Citations may seem like a small part of the research process, but they’re crucial! We show students how to use software like NoodleTools, an online tool to organize and manage citations, and we break down how to cite sources correctly in any style.
  • Digital Literacy & Navigating the Web: Finding information is one thing, but knowing how to navigate the internet safely and efficiently is another. We teach practical skills to help students search smarter, use library databases effectively, and explore the online world with confidence.
  • Generative AI: AI is becoming a bigger part of the world and has already had a huge impact on academia and higher education, and we’re here to help students understand its role. We cover how AI can be both a useful tool and a challenge when searching for information, and we give practical tips on how to use AI ethically in academic work.

Why Do Instruction Sessions Matter?

It’s not just about finding a few sources for an assignment—library instruction sessions are about building lifelong skills. With the right knowledge, students can become informed citizens, capable of critically evaluating the wealth of information available to them, not just in their classes, but in all aspects of life.

How Can You Get Involved?

Are you a student struggling with a research project? Reach out to our Reference and Instruction Librarians! We’re always happy to meet with students, whether it’s diving deep into a specific research topic, brushing up on citation rules, or navigating the complexities of AI in academic work.

Are you an instructor looking to invite one of our Librarians to your class? We’d love to collaborate with you and enhance your students’ learning experience! To schedule a library instruction session, just reach out to us at LibraryRef@bhc.edu. Let us know what topic or skill you’d like covered, and we’ll work with you to create a session that fits seamlessly into your course. 

By the numbers or not, our priority is to ensure that every student leaves with the skills they need to succeed—not just in their assignments, but beyond.