Information for Instructors - Ask Us

Library Instruction Services

Librarians partner with instructors to design and test library assignments, to teach with library resources, and to create bibliographies. Sessions cover areas like library research strategies, critical thinking skills, information literacy, and scholarly communication.

  • Composition I Courses Library instruction is provided for students in Composition I classes through the Instruction Department of the Undergraduate Library. These include RHET 101, RHET 102, RHET 105, CMN 111, CMN 112, ESL 112, and ESL 115. Instructors for these classes may request a session where librarians will work with your students to improve their research skills and become independent critical thinkers. To schedule a class visit the Undergraduate Library’s Information for Instructors and Faculty page.
  • Find your Subject Library or Subject Specialist Librarian to request a course- based instruction session. Instructors who need course-based instruction not covered below should contact their subject library or subject specialist librarian for details on what instructional services they provide, or get help identifying the right librarian to work with by contacting Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe, Coordinator for Information Literacy Services and Instruction, at infolit@library.illinois.edu.
  • Savvy Researcher Workshops The library offers hour long workshops on advanced topics, including citation management tools, data management, digital publishing, and finding grants to fund your research. Instructors can request that a specific Savvy Researcher Workshop be taught in a special session for a course, research group, or faculty meeting.
  • Course and Subject Guides Departmental libraries create library guides that provide instructional resources for students and instructors including research guides, subject guides, database guides, and class guides. Browse existing guides, or contact your subject library or subject specialist librarian if you would like to request a guide for your course.

Library Materials in Class

  • Placing Materials on Reserve During the COVID Response At this time, the Library is unable to offer access to traditional physical reserves (such as entire books). In order to safely serve on-campus students, as well as students who may not be on campus this fall, the Library encourages instructors to identify portions of printed works the Library can assist in making available digitally. For complete works, the Library will try to provide digital access when such access is feasible and allowable under copyright law. Please note that electronic textbooks are often not available for libraries to purchase. Instructors are encouraged to contact a librarian in their subject area if they have any questions or concerns about reserves.
  • Request a Purchase Place a request for materials that we don’t own but would be useful for your class.
  • Access for Distance Learning Find out how you can get access to materials we only own in print if you are teaching a distance course from another location. Your students can as well!
  • Course Materials and Copyright for Professors Many of the materials you might use to liven up your classroom are probably covered by copyright laws. Learn more information about using copyrighted materials for your classroom and course reserves.

Undergraduate Research

  • Undergraduate Research Journals The library works with instructors and student advisors on the production of undergraduate student journals. See a list of current student journals and find out how to partner with the library on the creation of a new journal.

More Teaching Resources

  • Open Educational Resources Explore the basics of Open Educational Resources (OER), including how to find, evaluate, use, and adapt OER materials for your own curriculum.