Library Instruction

University Librarians are available to support your classes with research instruction tailored to your course objectives. As information experts, they are uniquely qualified to teach students, faculty, and staff how to navigate today’s complex information landscape.

Instruction topics include:

• An introduction to library resources and services
• The basics of information literacy
• Developing and refining research topics
• Keyword selection
• Navigating databases like Search@UW
• Using archival or primary source materials, and more.

Instructors can choose from flexible presentation options:

• Librarians can visit your classroom in person or virtually
• Host your class in the library
• Provide guided tours of library spaces and resources
• Or offer ongoing support through our Embedded Librarian Service (more information below)

In a world overflowing with information, the ability to think critically and evaluate sources, whether for academic research, personal decisions, or professional tasks, is essential. These lifelong skills are at the heart of information literacy, and we’re here to help your students build them.

Library Instruction Scheduling Policy

All Library Instruction requests must be emailed to reference@uwstout.edu at least two weeks in advance.

Please include the following information in your request:

• The course number
• Let us know what you want covered (information literacy, research skills, advanced databases)
• What are preferred dates and times for your library instruction?
• How much time will you set aside for the library presentation?
• Will the class take place in-person or virtually?
• If it’s in-person, provide an estimated class size to allow scheduling of a classroom

After we receive your request, your liaison librarian will contact you to confirm the date, time, location, and content of your session. If the session supports a research assignment, please send the assignment to the librarian at least one week in advance.

Please plan to attend, as students are consistently more engaged when their instructor participates in the session.

We look forward to working with you and your students!

Embedded Librarian Service

Our Embedded Librarian Service is available for all UW-Stout online courses.  With this service, your liaison librarian is on hand for two weeks in your Canvas course to present five research modules on:

• How to develop a research question
• Choosing keywords
• Evaluating sources
• How to use Search@UW and Google Scholar

In addition to teaching research skills, the modules have three library discussions attached where a librarian interacts with the students. The discussion revolves around their research topics, how they're searching for information, and advice about the keywords and databases they're using when doing their research.

These modules can be optional for students or for credit, but we have found that they have a higher level of involvement and impact if they're offered for a minimal amount of credit. If you would like to learn more about this service, or preview the Canvas research modules, contact reference@uwstout.edu.