Library Instruction
Course-Related Instruction
The Library offers customized sessions for OU courses. These sessions focus on resources and skills needed to conduct research in the discipline. The librarian will consult with the course instructor to address specific assignments and/or student research needs. Examples of topics covered in library instruction sessions include the following:
- introduction to library services and collections
- instruction in using the online catalog to find books and other materials owned by KL
- the use of online databases to find journal articles
- the use of specialized reference books and other library materials
- methods of searching the Internet for reliable and accurate web sites
- techniques for evaluating sources
Instruction session usually include hands-on time for students to begin researching in demonstrated databases. The librarian can also create a course page for your students that links to subject-specific databases, online reference material, course handouts, related websites, etc.
Library instruction sessions can be held in a library instructional lab or in the regular classroom for larger groups. To request a session, faculty members can submit a Library Instruction Request Form or contact the Coordinator of Information Literacy.
Course-Integrated Instruction: WRT 160
The library faculty partner with faculty in the Department of Writing and Rhetoric to offer course-integrated information literacy instruction to every section of WRT 160. Content is offered partially online via Moodle, in addition to face-to-face instruction time with a librarian. Go to WRT 160 library module.
Stand-Alone Course Instruction: LIB 250
Kresge Library offers a fully-online 4-credit course, LIB 250: Introduction to Library Research and Technology in the Information Age. Check the Schedule of Classes in SAIL for registration details!
Assistance with Identifying Resources for Your Class
Considering a library assignment for your class? We encourage you to contact us first! The librarians can help you create interactive and interesting exercises and/or verify that the library has access to desired materials for your course. We can help you select relevant print, online, or web resources and can even build a course page for your students' reference.
Contact your librarian liaison for assistance!
Research Consultations
As part of our instructional mission, we offer one-on-one research consultations for OU students, faculty, and staff. During an RC a librarian can help you define a research topic, teach you how to find resources for a class assignment, and more.
Schedule a Research Consultation.
Library Tours
Tours are designed to familiarize the users with the overall arrangement of the library and do not include instruction in the use of the online catalog, article databases or other library resources.
Please see the OU policy for visits from non-university groups.
Undergraduate Research in Writing Award
The University Libraries have established the Undergraduate Research in Writing Award to celebrate excellence in library research by students enrolled in a course that meets the General Education Writing Intensive requirement, or the Writing Intensive in the Major requirement. Learn more about the Research in Writing Award.
Library Instructional Labs
The library has three information literacy instruction labs. Two of them--KL222 and KL225A--are equipped with 24-25 student computer workstations and an instructor's station. Vision control software enables the instructor to maintain control of the student monitors for online demonstrations and instruction, and then to then turn control of the students' computers over to them for practice. The third room--KL225B--has projection capability, an instructor workstation and table/chair seating for up to 38 students.
For the first two months of every fall and winter semester, the library instructional labs (rooms 225A, 225B, and 222) are not available for non-library reservations. The labs are used exclusively for library instruction during these times. See the complete lab reservation policy.