Librarian Class Instruction & Consultations
Librarian Class Instruction
Librarians collaborate with UW instructors to offer class instruction options that develop students’ research skills and encourage critical thinking about information.
Common formats:
- Overview. 20-30 minute introduction to selected library resources & services.
- Workshop. 50-75 minute session that engages students about a core research skill or information literacy topic, paired with an interactive class activity.
- Module. Interactive online content that teaches a research skill or tool.
- Course Guide. Online page with links to course-specific research resources.
Requesting a Session
General Requests
Request class instruction or course-specific learning objects.
Request an Instruction Session
- Requests should be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance to support scheduling and planning.
- Requests for specific dates or librarians are not guaranteed.
- Instructors seeking support with less than 2 weeks notice are advised to consider research skill guides or ready-to-go online tutorials & research modules instead.
The Libraries prioritizes instruction requests for program orientations, research-focused assignments, and required courses within undergraduate majors / graduate degree programs.
For sustainability, instructors seeking multiple class sessions from the Libraries in the same quarter may be asked to schedule a consultation to consider alternative options.
Special Collections – Instruction for UW or Other College/University Classes
Workshops and class presentations are often a good method to introduce students, especially undergraduates, to the resources of Special Collections and the UW Libraries.
- We welcome opportunities to teach and co-teach classes on research with Special Collections materials.
- We request 4-6 weeks advance notice for most class sessions.
- If you have a shorter timeline, we will do what we can to accommodate you, but it may limit what we can do.
Depending on the number of students planning on visiting Special Collections we may schedule rotating visits so as to accommodate both the students and our normal patrons. Special Collections does not have the facilities to accommodate large groups, nor the staff to accommodate drop-in class visits.
Contact us to plan your visit.
Program in Writing & Rhetoric Instructor Support
The Libraries provides specific online guidance to UW graduate student instructors of ENGL 131, ENGL 121, and ENGL 182 as part of an ongoing partnership with the Program in Writing and Rhetoric.
Instructor Consultations
In addition to class instruction, the Libraries offers consultations to UW instructors seeking individualized help with:
- Designing effective research assignments
- Selecting free and licensed course materials
- Introducing students to key research concepts or library tools
- Encouraging critical AI practices in student research practices
All requests for consultation may be submitted via the Ask Us email form.
Instructors of subject-specific research courses may choose to consult directly with a subject librarian.