As the librarian who coordinates information literacy sessions at Madison College Libraries, I occasionally hear complaints: often second-hand from faculty. Some come by way of assessments that aim to get a sense for how students feel about librarians invading their classes once or twice a semester. Occasionally students blurt out “I know this already,” before they’ve even sat down in the library’s classroom.

Part of the problem, I think, is students sometimes misunderstand the purpose of the library visit. Each time we meet with a class for an instruction session, we first discuss objectives for that class with the instructor. Often we have very specific goals in mind: demonstrating how to access a certain type of journal, how to evaluate source material, and almost always, how to save time searching for what you need to complete a research assignment. In other words, the underlying purpose is to introduce you to the tools and help you develop the skills that will make it easier for you to complete your assignments and succeed in the class.

Library instruction sessions are not a “one size fits all” proposition. What you learn about when your Speech class visits the library is different from what you will find out when your Making of Modern Europe class begins research.
Among English 1 students who we asked just this past fall semester, more than 80 percent said that their library session introduced them to “a lot of new research options.”

“The librarian was extremely kind and helpful,” one student said. “He did an awesome job helping everyone in my class understand the concepts of database research.”

Words like “approachable” and “helpful” came up multiple times in student responses. Especially for those who are new to college-level research, just knowing where to go and whom to ask can make a real difference.  Instructors know that this doesn’t necessarily happen automatically, and it’s one of the main reasons why they bring you to us.

Another reason is that, just like everything else, libraries keep changing. Our services and resources are constantly being updated in response to student needs. Our databases add “bells and whistles” that are not immediately obvious to some users. Your options for how to access and how to use library services and materials also change from semester to semester. Most of our spaces have been updated in past year. We even have a librarian embedded in the Student Achievement Center at Truax. I am willing to wager few of you knew that one.

So, the next time your instructor announces a library visit, please keep an open mind. Either way, we librarians are always happy to see you at Madison College Libraries.