For Faculty: Scheduling Library Sessions

This page offers information for faculty at SUNY Adirondack and the SUNY Plattsburgh Branch Campus.

Library Services During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Librarians will do whatever is possible to help your students with their research projects. Options include:

  • Asynchonous instruction: we can customize library research guides for your class's assignment.
  • Synchronous instruction: we can do a live Zoom session with your class.

We also offer individual research assistance to your students, using email, phone, Zoom, Collaborate or other communication means. 

Email Joyce Miller, Reference and Instruction Librarian (millerja@sunyacc.edu) as you plan your courses to discuss options. Thank you. 

Library Instruction Sessions for Spring 2021

To schedule library instruction, e-mail instruction librarian Joyce Miller (millerja@sunyacc.edu). 

Asynchronous Sessions

  • Librarians can create customized research guides for your assignments that you can post in Blackboard.
  • Contact Joyce with a timeline for the guide to be completed, a copy of the research assignment, possible topics, and your learning objectives for the session. 

Synchronous Sessions

For the Fall 2021 semester: A Zoom session works really well with library instruction sessions. Students are using familiar computers (not classroom computers), easily log in and save results, readily post responses and attendance is good. Especially for larger classes that may not safely or comfortably fit in the 14-computer library classroom, this is an excellent option. 

  • Librarians can conduct a research session online through Zoom.
  • Contact Joyce to arrange the session. Have several possible dates available. Popular slots fill up quickly. The sooner you contact the library, the more likely you will get your first choice of times.
  • Schedule classes from months up to no less than two weeks in advance to allow enough time for proper preparation and adjustments to librarians' work and life schedules.
  • Students should understand the research assignment and be ready to research their topics.
    • Students must know their research topics for the hands-on time to be useful.
    • Provide their topics to the librarian at least a week in advance so the librarian has sufficient time to prepare material, select databases, update the class research guide and create searches to demonstrate.
    • The effectiveness of hands-on time may depend on students' internet connections. 
    • Students should try to use a computer, laptop or tablet for the class. 
      • The session will use Zoom, Zoom's chat, the library's webpage, and require database searching by the students.
      • Students will need to respond in Zoom's chat function and as well as log into and search library databases for information on their topics. 
  • Discuss your learning priorities for your research assignment with the librarian leading the session. We can realistically and effectively teach students a certain number of major research concepts in one class session.
  • You may schedule more than one session.
  • Sessions can be recorded for later viewing with students' permissions. 
  • Classes may be taught by a variety of SUNY Adirondack librarians, depending on their subject expertise, availability, work schedules, the class schedule for the day, the time of day and faculty requests. 

Reference & Instruction Librarian

Joyce A. Miller's picture
Joyce A. Miller
Contact:
Above: Joyce on college's 2017 trip to Ecuador, with live volcano Cotopaxi.
Distinguished Professor of Library Science.
Reference & Instruction Librarian.
Liaison to Business, Science, International Education, Humanities, Online Learning.
Library Website Manager.
SUNY Adirondack, 640 Bay Road Queensbury NY 12804
millerja@sunyacc.edu
(Please call me Joyce, or Professor Miller.)
Website

Types of Library Sessions

  • For ENG101/ENG100: These introduce the research process and basic database research strategies. 
  • For subject-oriented classes (sciences, humanities, etc.): Sessions are customized to research assignments, and can focus on selected specific concepts: finding scholarly journals, for instance.
  • For HRD classes: see Scheduling HRD Classes tab above.

Information Literacy at SUNY Adirondack

SUNY Adirondack Library’s library instruction program teaches information skills to faculty, students and staff. The concept is more broadly known as information literacy. It is defined as:     
      - knowing when information is needed,
     - knowing how to find information,
     - evaluating the information using critical thinking skills,
     - using the information appropriately in an ethical and legal manner, and
     - communicating the information effectively in various formats.

The U.S. Department of Labor, SUNY, college re-accreditation organizations such as Middle States and other key agencies state that strong information literacy skills are increasingly required for success in education, careers and life. The ability to find and use information well, to solve everyday problems and educate oneself, is an invaluable life-long skill. 

By collaborating with librarians, faculty can ensure that students will be better prepared for the future in a rapidly changing, information-driven world.

Your Research Assignments

We strongly recommend trying to complete your own research assignment before giving it to students.

To develop or review an assignment for accuracy and feasibility, contact instruction librarian Joyce Miller (millerja@sunyacc.edu).

Library Research Methods: LIB187 Course

This one-credit course further develops college-level research skills. It is offered in the spring semester, taught by a SUNY Adirondack librarian. See Banner's Course Schedule Search for details.