Faculty Guide to Truxal Library

We strongly encourage library instruction for any class where research is required of students.

Instruction by AACC librarians is offered to all AACC classes, regardless of meeting time, location (Arnold, AMIL, GBTC, etc.), or format (face-to-face, online, or hybrid). Instruction is also available for faculty and staff training.

How do I arrange instruction?

Contact Brandy Whitlock, Instruction Librarian, at libraryinstruction@aacc.edu or (410) 777-2456. Please allow at least two weeks; a longer lead time increases your chances of securing your preferred schedule and allows the teaching librarian more time to prepare for your class's particular needs. Additionally, please provide the students' research assignment/s in a Word or PDF file; this may be sent after the initial scheduling request is made.

What is library instruction?

The central goal of the library's instruction program is to foster successful and ethical research practices, also known as information literacy. One of AACC's College-Wide Core Competencies, information literacy is described as "recognizing when information is needed and locating, evaluating, and using information appropriately." In keeping with this competency, instruction sessions are designed to help students learn how to:

• search more effectively and efficiently for credible information;
• assess a source's purpose and evaluate its quality;
• distinguish fact from opinion;
• find and use resources produced for specific professions, vocations, and/or academic disciplines; and,
• cite sources appropriately

Library instruction always focuses on a research assignment, which we are happy to help you develop. (You'll also find guidelines on the Research Assignments page in this guide.)

Should I attend the library instruction session?

Yes, please accompany any class scheduled for library instruction or a research work session in order to address questions about students' assignment/s and to encourage appropriate student behavior.

What if I just want to bring my class to the library?

Please contact Brandy Whitlock in advance to reserve a library classroom. We cannot accommodate full class meetings in the library's common spaces.

Please limit the size of unscheduled student groups sent to work on assignments to four or fewer individuals, so as not to monopolize the space, resources, and personnel of the reference department.

What if my class is online?

See Distance Learning in this guide.