Updated for Spring 2013

Many students find college-level research daunting. To help students acquire the skills they need to locate, access, and use information resources in the library and beyond, the Lloyd Sealy Library offers various forms of instruction designed for specific courses and assignments. 

Sessions led by librarians

Considering the importance of library instruction, while accounting for budget and staff constraints, we target and prioritize some courses:

• 100-level courses with a research component introduce first-year students to the basic principles of college-level research. 
• 200- and 300-level major-specific courses that require the completion of an extensive research project. 

In particular, we welcome teaching requests for the following courses: 

If we are unable to accommodate a request for a full-period session, we offer supplemental forms of instruction. 

We kindly request that faculty follow the procedures outlined below.

Library instruction policy

Placing a request

As early in the semester as possible, or at least two weeks prior to the anticipated class, please fill out the Library Instruction Request Form.

You may also contact Prof. Marta Bladek directly by email at mbladek@jjay.cuny.edu or by phone at (212) 237-8997.

Timing of library instruction

The effectiveness of library instruction depends in part on timing. Students benefit most when library sessions are course-integrated and scheduled to coincide with a research assignment. If the session is scheduled too early, students will not retain what they have learned. If the session is scheduled too late, students will not have enough time to master the research skills they need to complete an assignment.

For the above reasons, we request that ENG 101 classes be scheduled in the first twelve weeks of the semester (up until 4/26/13). All other classes must take place during the first ten weeks of the semester (up until 4/12/16). Later requests will be considered case by case. Depending on the course’s research component, we may suggest supplemental forms of instruction »

Please note that we can only accommodate classes in the library classroom during the times the library is open. Library facilities are not normally made available for for-fee training.

Finalizing arrangements

After your request for library session is received and processed, you and the assigned librarian will both receive a message that confirms the date and time of the session. Please communicate with the teaching librarian directly to discuss the details of the session.

We request that you share all necessary information (syllabus, assignment, research topics) with the librarian at least one week prior to the class meeting.

Research assignment

Library sessions are most effective when they are directly related to a specific assignment. When requesting a session, please provide a copy of your syllabus and a detailed description of the project your students will be working on, including a list of potential topics.

Before meeting with the librarian, please inform your students about the session's relevance to their coursework and the research assignment in particular.

Mandatory faculty attendance

Faculty must attend the session and remain in the classroom the entire time.

Teaching faculty's presence and participation make it clear to students that library instruction is an integral part of their course.

We ask that teaching faculty participate in the session. Students are more engaged if their professor adds comments or questions during the session, too. During the hands-on portion of class (if there is one), faculty may be asked to assist the librarian.

Proceed to the library instruction request form »