The library tries to keep one copy of every required undergraduate course textbook in our Course Reserves. We work with the IIT Bookstore to maintain this collection, so it is vital that you submit your course texts to the Bookstore as early as you possibly can. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at library@iit.edu
Electronic reserves should be uploaded into the BlackBoard Content Management System. If you have questions about BlackBoard, contact the Office of Digital Learning.
To place library or personal copies of items on the reserve shelf, faculty must:
A recent Project Information Literacy study stated that:
Fix that with a research guide. We can create one for your class that focuses on what the students will need to complete your assignments. Students love these guides because they alleviate the anxiety of wondering if they are using the wrong resources.
We are happy to provide library instruction for your classes. Librarians will work with you to design interactive instruction for your students.
Select an instruction package below for suggested information literacy topics for your class. You can also customize your own session. This is not an exhaustive list. If you would like other resources or topics addressed, we’d be happy to discuss the options with you and determine content and objectives that work best with your situation. Fill out the online form to request instruction.
A basic overview of the library resources and services provided, including workshops, and ways of accessing librarian assistance
Constructing a search strategy based on research questions
Using a concept map to determine concepts, keywords and synonyms for keywords
Using boolean operators
Conducting basic searches and finding full text articles in one database
Requesting articles via interlibrary loan
Finding books and ebooks using the library catalog
Requesting books via interlibrary loan
Finding textbooks
Analyzing the credibility of a range of sources. Comparing and distinguishing between popular and scholarly articles
Identifying characteristics of credibility via websites
Identifying when and why sources must be cited
Analyzing examples for plagiarism characteristics
Introduction to APA or MLA citation manual and resources
Brainstorming ideas with the help of concept mapping or other tools
Narrowing or broadening topic to fit the scope of a research project
Searching for topics in discipline-specific databases
Using advanced searches to find specific results
Interpreting citations (book, article, etc.) in an original article’s reference list;
Locating the full text from a citation in the reference list;
Locating earlier sources that have cited the original article.
Identifying when and why sources must be cited
Analyzing examples for plagiarism characteristics
Introduction to Zotero workshops
Incorporating sources into research project
Identifying characteristics between primary and secondary sources.
Strategies for locating primary sources using databases and/or the University Archives and Special Collection
Creating references and In-text citation
Open access and traditional publishing models.
Using databases to find journals related to your research.
Journal “impact” metrics.
General information about the library resources and services provided.