Library Class and Subject Guides: Information Literacy Toolkit: Use Information for Academic Success

Toolkit Legend

This box explains labels displayed in this guide

Activity Item can be used as a class activity; examples include group discussions and student peer review
Video YouTube video explaining a process, concept or task
Assignment Item that can be used as a graded assignment
Step–by–Step Instructions Text and visuals explaining a process, concept, or task
Teaching Resource Support material for an assignment, activity, etc.
DIY Tutorial Instructions and questions inserted into an actual webpage. Guides user through a process,concept, or task.
Presentation Slideshow explaining a process, concept or task

Competency 1: Use information and your library in order to succeed academically

	Introductory	Intermediate	Advanced
1.a	Identify various forms of study, physical information sources, and technology use	Choose among various forms of study, physical information sources, and technology use in the library	Propose improvements to library services in terms of studying, access to physical information sources, and using technology in the library

Finding & Using Books

Finding Books in Memorial Library: Step 2
Video Locate and check out books from Memorial Library at Minnesota State University, Mankato using the call number and location information from the previous video.
Renew Books Instructions
Step–by–Step Instructions These instructions will walk users through how to renew books.
Searching for Books in Memorial Library
Video Books are an important resource for any project. This tutorial will help you use the Library's website to search for books, access ebooks, and explain the information on the website.
Using Textbook Reserves
Step–by–Step Instructions These instructions will help you find textbook course reserves and answer some frequently asked questions about the program.

Finding & Using Articles

Get Articles from Other Libraries Instructions
Step–by–Step Instructions These instructions will help you request materials from other libraries.

Using your Library

Memorial Library Lightning Tour
Video This 10 minute video tour of Memorial Library will help students better understand the resources of the library and where to find them. It's a lot of information really fast, so hold on tight!
On the Loose in the MNSU Archives
Video The University Archives is the official repository of the records of Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Helping Online & Off-Campus Users

Sending Library Items to You
Video This tutorial describes how distance students can request and access library materials from Memorial Library at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

	Introductory	Intermediate	Advanced
1.b	Match information needs to information types	Match information needs to information types in the discipline

Finding & Using Articles

An Overview of Articles
Video This video introduces students to what an article is and where it’s found, also the different types of articles available for research.

	Introductory	Intermediate	Advanced
1.c	Identify challenges (finding "perfect source," fake news, confirmation bias) when interacting with information	Apply strategies to resolve or minimize information challenges	Demonstrate persistence, adaptability, and reflection while interacting with information

Working with Scholarly Sources

Reading Scholarly Articles
Video This video discusses why scholarly articles are so difficult to read and provides students with tips for to approach reading scholarly articles.
Supporting your Topic with Scholarly Sources
Video This tutorial is designed to help students deal with difficult and specific research. Namely, we will be looking at how to work those specific articles into a basic research project, even when the article doesn’t entirely match your topic.
Text Instructions - Reading Scholarly Articles
Step–by–Step Instructions These instructions will help readers approach difficult-to-read articles

Researching

Developing Your Research Question
Activity Assignment Includes a "How do I create research questions" worksheet and instructions for a small group discussion

Thinking about Fake News

Beyond Fake News: Identifying Problems within Evolving Information Technologies Online
DIY Tutorial This tutorial collection will help you gain an understanding of the complexity of "fake news." Each module will help you understand problems related to fake news and other types of misinformation.

Thinking about Filter Bubbles

Filter Bubbles TED Talk
Video This video from the TED talk series discusses how filter bubbles may be affecting what information we find

Filter Bubbles Video Discussion
Activity
After watching Eli Pariser's TED Talk on Filter Bubbles, students will reflect on and discuss the limitations of search engine results.

Thinking about Confirmation Bias

Confirmation Bias
DIY Tutorial This tutorial will make you aware of and help you discern your own confirmation biases.
Confirmation Bias Tutorial 2.0
DIY Tutorial A shorter version of our other tutorial with coffee assignment included!
Confirmation Bias Assignment
Activity Assignment This Assignment will help you discern your own confirmation biases.

Reading Effectively

Effective Reading Video
Video A video from CLIP info on how to read effectively.

	Introductory	Intermediate	Advanced
1.d	Identify various sources of research help (e.g. library and classroom faculty, library staff, peers, class & subject guides)	Use various sources of research help (e.g. library and classroom faculty, library staff, peers, class & subject guides, etc.)	Use various sources of research expertise (subject experts, subject librarians, etc.)

Using Library Guides

Navigating Library Class and Subject Guides
DIY TutorialThis tutorial will show you where to find library course and subject guides.
Navigating to the English Composition Library Guide
DIY Tutorial This tutorial will show you how to get to the library guide made explicitly for English Composition.

Finding & Using Articles

Finding Articles by Topic
DIY TutorialThis tutorial will walk you through searching for articles at MSU.

Getting Research Help

Information Expert Reflection Paper
Assignment For this assignment, students learn people are also information sources. Students are required to meet with an information expert and then write a five page reflection describing what they learned and how the interaction impacted their leadership values.
Information Expert Reflection Paper Rubric
Teaching Resource