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Teaching Assistants and the Library

This guide details the various ways teaching assistants can help their faculty and their students use the library.

Study rooms

Use Galvin Library's group study rooms for collaborative work, study group and student organizations.

  • Rooms are fully enclosed and have flat-screen monitors and whiteboards.
  • Rooms should not be used for TA hours.
  • Guarantee a room by reserving it online up to two weeks in advance.  Rooms can be used for up to two hours at a time.

Learn how to use the library at home

You and your students can learn how to use the library at any hour without having to come to the library:

  • Learn the basics of using the library search tool to find books, journals, articles, special collections and more.
  • Learn how to find books in Galvin Library or how to request books Illinois Tech does not have.
  • Every major subject area on campus has a Research Guide detailing the best databases, reference materials, websites, and books for that subject.
  • Ask for help online via email or instant message.  Librarians are available during regular business hours and from noon to 4pm on Sundays.  Student assistants answer IMs in the evenings and the rest of the weekend.

Borrowing Laptops, Webcams and Wi-Fi Hotspots

Galvin Library offers a variety of equipment that is available for checkout by IIT students, staff, and faculty including laptops, webcams, calculators and more.

Equipment is loaned on a first-come, first-served basis; requests or holds on equipment are not permitted.

Research Help

Students can get research help from professional librarians and student research specialists at the Research Help Desk—no appointment needed. You can also check out our research guides to help you get started. These guides include recommended electronic resources and journals as well as contact info for the subject librarian. All guides are created and kept up to date by our subject librarians.

In addition to the physical desk, you can also get research help via phone, email, chat, or by making an appointment directly with a librarian. We're happy to help - don't hesitate to reach out!

 

Have a librarian teach your students

Librarians are available to instruct your students on conducting research:

  • Request library instruction if your class has an assignment that requires library use.  Librarians can make online course guides for the classes too.
  • Submit an Assignment Alert for upcoming "library assignments" by sending an email to library@illinois.edu  Or, if your professor is considering a "library assignment" have a librarian help design the assignment to maximize learning opportunities.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

The library is here to help you! Any time you have a question do not hesitate to ask us.

Contact Galvin Library:

Research Help Office (for help with research):
library@illinoistech.edu

(312) 567-7552

Circulation Desk (for help with borrowing or renewing books):
circdesk@illinoistech.edu
(312) 567-6847

Tutoring/Writing Assistance

Illinois Tech provides subject tutoring as well as writing assistance to students.

  • The Academic Resource Center (ARC) provides free peer tutoring to current Illinois Tech students. In addition to peer tutoring, they offer group study, academic coaching and exam review. 
  • The Writing Center is a resource for all Illinois Tech students. Their tutors provide one-on-one help with the writing process such as understanding the writing assignment, grammar, punctuation, spelling and more.

Online Language Learning Tool