University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

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• “Whether students do the bulk of their library research remotely via the Libraries Web site or in library buildings, campus librarians can offer valuable assistance.”

  Gemma DeVinney

  University Libraries

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As with the beginning of a calendar year, the start of the academic year is often a time of resolution making. For faculty members, that may mean resolving to grade papers in a timely fashion, to consistently conduct engaging and spirited classroom discussions, to take time to connect with more colleagues over coffee, or even to get to campus early enough to get a prime parking spot. This column is urging course instructors to add another resolution to their lists: help students have a satisfying experience using library resources to complete course assignments.

The University Libraries Web site not only has a fresh look and a new user-friendly address (http://library.buffalo.edu), it contains useful information for faculty members who believe that students who learn how to access and use research findings and other information will become successful lifelong learners. A well-crafted assignment that requires students to track down university press-published works and peer-reviewed articles and to critically assess research findings can help shape information/research literate world citizens. The Guide to Creating Effective Assignments has much to offer instructors who resolve to make library research a positive experience for their students.

One bit of advice for faculty from the guide can make all the difference for students who want to spend more time synthesizing and analyzing information than engaging in a frustrating hunt for books and other materials that are not on the shelf: “Create your assignment so that students are able to choose from a variety of topics. This will help avoid the problem of all students needing exactly the same resources at the same time…” And, when it’s inevitable, based on course content, that students will have to compete for limited library resources, faculty members are well-advised to place material on course reserve. It’s easy to do: submit a request electronically.

Whether students do the bulk of their library research remotely via the Libraries Web site or in library buildings, campus librarians can offer valuable assistance. As signs posted in various locations in library buildings proclaim: “Save time finding, evaluating, narrowing—ask a librarian!”

Faculty members can give Arts & Sciences Libraries staff a useful “heads up” by completing an assignment alert.

Then, however students reach out for assistance—whether in person, by phone, by email, by instant message or, last but not least, Facebook®—librarians will be able to give the best advice possible. The result? Saving wear and tear on the students—and their instructors as well.

—Gemma DeVinney, University Libraries

Online resources

• University Libraries Web site: http://library.buffalo.edu
• Guide to Creating Effective Assignments: http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/asl/courses/assignment_tips.html
• Course Reserve: http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/forms/reserve.html
• Arts & Sciences Libraries assignment alert: http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/forms/assignment_alert.html
• Ask a Librarian - In Person: http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/askalibrarian/inperson/
• Ask a Librarian - By Phone: http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/askalibrarian/phone.php
• Ask a Librarian - By Email: http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/askalibrarian/email.php
• Ask a Librarian - Instant Message: http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/askalibrarian/refchat.php
• Ask a Librarian - Facebook®: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buffalo-NY/
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