Check Library SharePoint for Available Documents: Reference librarians have collected syllabi and assignment descriptions from prior faculty partners. Copies of these documents are stored in the Library's SharePoint. You will also find copies of notes that reference librarians have created to assist them in classroom bibliographic instruction. Check the Library's SharePoint for any available documents.
Get the Assignment: If no documents for the course or assignment exist in SharePoint, ask for a copy. If you are planning to teach a class, contact the professor to obtain a copy of the assignment and any other documents that outline their research expectations. If you're meeting one-on-one with a student, ask them to bring a copy of the assignment to the reference appointment.
Assess the Information Need and Provide Appropriate Resources: Once you have the assignment, determine what types of resources are needed to meet the information need. If prepping for an upcoming class, you may need to create or update a course LibGuide and prepare some example database or catalog searches.
If you have a student appointment, you will need to conduct a reference interview. Ask questions that will provoke a detailed response, such as:
Use the student's answers to direct them toward a LibGuide in their subject area. If they are looking for articles, direct them to the tab on their LibGuide page that lists useful databases for that subject area.
LibGuides are a useful library resource to employ when providing bibliographic instruction one-on-one or in a classroom setting. A link to subject and course research guides can be found on the library's homepage.
LibGuides can also be accessed via the library's myHill page. Click the box labeled Subject and Class Guides, under the heading 'Research Tools'.
LibGuides are organized by academic discipline. Find the appropriate subject area, and select a guide from the list. Some guides have been created to cater to specific courses and/or instructors, and are usually used during classroom bibliographic instruction. You may also wish to direct students to course guides, if available, during one-on-one appointments. If a course guide is not available, direct the student to the general guide for that discipline.
Use their initial question to guide them to the appropriate section of the guide. Are they looking for books? Articles? Web resources? Select from the top level tabs.
If a patron requires more research assistance than you are able to give, refer them to a reference librarian. Provide them with a link to make an appointment. You can also direct them to a specialist in that particular subject, if you wish. Here are their subject specialties:
Lindsay Boezi: Biology; Business; Chemistry; Economics; Education; Mathematics; Physics; Writing
Garrett McComas: Computer Science; Data Science; Health Care Administration; Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Neuroscience; Philosophy; Visual & Performing Arts
Trish McPherson: American Studies; Anthropology; Communication; English; Gender Studies; History; Political Science; Psychology; Religion; Sociology & Criminology
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