LIBRARY SERVICES FOR FACULTY

Library Instruction

Information literacy is an important part of a student's education. Information literacy skills allow a student to access, evaluate, and use information in an effective and ethical manner. Information literate students will use the peer-reviewed resources that you want to see in student bibliographies, and will know how to incorporate these sources into papers and projects. It is not true that students come into the university possessing these skills. Library instruction classes are a benefit for both the students and the faculty members because the classes help students find better sources more quickly, resulting in better papers and projects. Library instruction also prepares students for more advanced study.

Library instruction sessions can be scheduled whenever it is convenient for your class, at any time during the semester. Sessions are most effective when the students have an assignment that requires resources, so that the session can be tailored to the immediate information needs of the students. A librarian will work with you to customize the session for your class, to ensure that appropriate resources and search skills are highlighted during the session. Very little information from other library sessions will be repeated, so if your students tell you that they already had a library session, assure them that this one is different and will be especially for this class. Most library sessions are scheduled in a computer lab, so that students can apply their skills during the class, and leave with some resources in hand to start their assignments.

If an in-class session does not fit your class schedule, we can also schedule an out-of-class workshop. In addition, we can help create guides to resources that you can distribute to students or post on your class Moodle site.

When you redesign your research assignments, we are happy to consult with you to ensure that the library's resources can accommodate what your students need to do. We can also give suggestions for creating effective research assignments.

To schedule library instruction, please use our online form on the library's home page, or contact Ann Tenglund at ateng@sbu.edu or 716-375-2378.
 

 

Course Reserves

The Course Reserve service allows you to place materials that you want your entire class to use on reserve through the Circulation Desk. You can place library materials or personal copies of books, kits, or DVDs. To place something on reserve, bring it to the front desk  of the library. You will need to fill out a short form to ensure that we process the material as you wish. You can download the form and fill it out ahead of time, or fill it out at the front desk when you bring the items in.

The library also has an electronic reserve service. We will scan anything that can legally be scanned, according to copyright law, and place it on a secure online site for use by your students. This service is especially popular with faculty teaching summer School of Franciscan Studies courses, because students are able to access the course reserve materials even before they have their SBU login ID. 

 

Research Assistance

If there is anything we can do to assist you with finding resources or researching your next article or project, please let us know. You can stop by, call the Reference Desk at 716-375-2164, or email us at ref@sbu.edu. If it would be more convenient you can also make an appointment with any of the librarians. 

 

Access to Library Resources

Many faculty members like to do some of their research work from home. Don't forget that almost all of our databases are available remotely. If you have any difficulty logging in, please consult the login assistance page.

As a faculty member, your loan period for books is one year. Audio-visual and Curriculum Center materials circulate for the normal period of time, due to the high level of demand for these materials. For further information, please consult the Circulation page.

 

Booking the Library Instruction Lab

There is a 24 seat computer lab on the lower level of the library. If you wish to reserve the lab for a class, you can always contact us, or you can reserve it yourself on Live25.  

 

Interlibrary Loan Services

Interlibrary Loan: If the library does not have the material you need, we will obtain it for you. Please see the Interlibrary Loan page for further information.

Academic Access and InfoPass Programs: If you want to use another academic library in Western New York, you can borrow directly from those that participate in the Western New York Library Resources Council's Academic Access and InfoPass Programs. 

The AcademicSHARE program allows you to use and borrow from participating libraries. The only identification you need is your valid SBU student ID card. Participating libraries include Buffalo State College E.H. Butler Library, Canisius College Library, Daemen College Library, D'Youville College Library, Erie Community College (all campuses), Medaille College Library, Niagara County Community College Library, Niagara University Library, Trocaire College Library, University at Buffalo Libraries, and Villa Maria College Library.

Acquisitions

All faculty members are encouraged to order materials for the library to support classroom and student research needs. For complete information, please see the Acquisitions page.