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Library Services for Faculty
Librarians at Allen Memorial Library support faculty by connecting students with reliable information, effective research skills and social engagement. Explore our services on this page to support your work at VCSU. Reach out to us with your ideas!
Upcoming Events
Stay updated on events, classes, and meetings scheduled at AML.
Team up with librarians and connect students with the research skills and resources they need. VCSU librarians provide faculty members with teaching support through instructional sessions. Each session varies in length and subject and is tailored to the specific subject, topic, and assignment identified by the instructor. Session topics also include a variety of literacy topics, including but not limited to: evaluating sources, developing search terms, defining a research question, research methods, citation styles, and research metrics. To request a session, submit the Library Instruction Request form. Check out the Library Instruction Menu to learn more about library sessions. You can mix and match the menu items!
BASICS
Introduction to the Library
Quick introduction to the library website and a short overview of where to find sources.
AI & Research
Teaches importance of understanding both the benefits and drawbacks of using AI in research, as well as utilizing AI tools provided through library online resources.
Library Scavenger Hunt
Students complete a scavenger hunt and learn about library spaces and collections.
Research Consultation
Short overview of research consultation and booking steps.
Developing a Research Topic
Lesson on techniques for expanding, narrowing, and developing search terms for a topic.
Academic Integrity
Teaches students how to understand academic integrity and issues of plagiarism. This session is often paired with Formatting & Citing
FINDING SOURCES
Searching for Resources: The Basics
An overview of the library website, basics of using the catalog, and database searching. (30 MINUTES)
Finding Books
Teaches students how to use the library’s search platform and access physical and digital books. (10 MINUTES)
Finding Primary Sources
Teaches how to define primary sources and where to find them. (25 MINUTES)
Finding Peer-Reviewed Articles
Teaches students the value of peer-reviewed resources and how to locate them through the library. (20 MINUTES)
Understanding Subject Headings
Teaches the value of subject headings to find sources and how to search for them. (10 MINUTES)
USING SOURCES
Organizing Research
Teaches students how to keep track of their sources using one or more methods of organization, including annotated bibliographies. (20-40 MINUTES)
Formatting & Citing
Teaches the value of citations and how to cite sources. (30-45 MINUTES)
Evaluating Sources
Students engage critically with their sources and evaluate their reliability. (20-30 MINUTES
VCSU librarians are happy to create customized guides to direct your students to the best resources and to refine their research skills for a specific assignment. If you would like to request a custom research guide, please submit the Request an Online Research Guide form.
The collection at Allen Memorial Library is curated based on the courses and programs taught at VCSU, and we are always happy to receive recommendations. Is there an item you would like the library to have that it does not yet hold? Use the Suggestion for Purchase form to submit your recommendations.
The Research Help Desk is located on the main floor, and the staff is happy to assist with research questions. You can reach out to Hannah Beebe or Tuya Dutton and/or schedule an appointment in advance using the Book a Librarian form.
Interlibrary Loan is a service that allows members of the VCSU Community to request articles and borrow books or other physical items from thousands of participating libraries. Take advantage of this service to borrow anything you need for class or fun that we don't own. Request items from other libraries using your online library account. When requests arrive, you will receive an email notification. When you are finished with the materials, simply return them to the Library. For more information on how to take advantage of ILL, please visit our page on Interlibrary Loans.
The library operates a reserve collection for course-related readings. Items can be placed on reserve for loan periods of three hours, one day, three days, or one week. To place items on Course Reserve, please use the Course Reserve Request form.
Library Classrooms are equipped with standard classroom technology. The primary use of the library classrooms is instructional, either for courses or study groups. Submit a Meeting Request – No Setup form for booking lessons, seminars, test prep consultations, and other instructional uses. Visit the Library Spaces page for more information.
The Library supports the affordability of instructional materials at VCSU and provides an Open Educational Resources (OER) guide, which offers an overview of OER and highlights some of the most comprehensive sources for finding and accessing materials.
The Library's Proxy URL Builder Tool simplifies creating formatted URLs, ensuring consistent and reliable access to online library resources from off campus.
- Copy and paste your resource link into the URL builder.
- Then click on Convert Link button.
More information is available in OneStop: Sharing Resource Links with Students.
Proxy URL Builder Tool
Enter a journal, book, or article URL to create a URL for off-campus access.