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Middle Tennessee State University
James E. Walker Library
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Walker Library Reference/Instructional Services

Reference

The Reference Area, located on the first floor of the Walker Library building, houses the Library's reference collection and Reference Desk. Reference materials include encyclopedias, dictionaries, indexes, biographical directories, bibliographies and other factual sources. Librarians staff the Reference Desk during most of the regular library hours.

Reference Librarians can assist patrons in the Electronic Information Center, also on the first floor, in finding appropriate electronic resources such as periodical indexes, databases and Web sites. The Center has about 75 computers and three printers for patron use.

Books shelved in the Reference Area have the letter "R" above the call number lettered on the spine or front of the book. Only faculty can check out reference materials or authorize a student to do so. Please return reference materials to the Reference Area when you have finished using them so that they will be available to others.

If you have research- or library-related questions, please go to the Ask a Librarian page for contact information.

In addition to the above-mentioned services, the User Services Librarians also offer:

  • A Reference by Appointment service for faculty and graduate students,
  • Research Coach sessions for undergraduates during certain times of the year,
  • Distance Learning Web resources where distance education students can find help, and
  • DIALOG searches, a fee-based access service to approximately 600 databases. This kind of search can supplement the databases that are already available on our Website.

Instruction

Formal instruction in the resources, services, and organization of University Library is a service offered by the User Services Department to MTSU students, faculty, staff, and others. Library instruction sessions are scheduled by faculty request.

General library instruction classes are designed to last from fifty minutes to an hour. Beginning in fall 2006 University 1010 classes will use the library’s Project S.T.A.R.T. curriculum which meets the information literacy standards set by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). Project S.T.A.R.T. classes make use of TurningPoint’s Audience Response System which allows the instructor to instantly assess student knowledge of key information literacy skills and to react accordingly. English 1010/1020 and other introductory classes typically receive an overview of library services and organization plus demonstrations followed by hands on practice using the library’s online catalog, the InfoTrac OneFile or Academic Search Premier databases, and LexisNexis Academic. General orientation sessions may also be requested featuring specific library databases and search examples. Notification of two to three days in advance is required for scheduling general instruction classes.

Customized library instruction classes are also available upon request. Class length typically runs from one to two hours, but is flexible depending upon session content. These sessions typically feature a variety of print, electronic database, and internet resources used for conducting research in specific subject areas. Reference books, the online catalog, Electronic Information Center databases, and various internet applications may all be covered. Notification of at least one week in advance is required when scheduling these sessions.

All formal library instruction classes are conducted in Library Instruction Rooms 272 and 264A located on the second floor. Twenty-eight computers are available in Room 272 and thirty-six in Room 264A. Seating may be doubled in each room if computers are shared.

Call 904-8530 to schedule your class or fill out an online library instruction request form. Classes are scheduled on a first come, first served basis determined by room and staff availability. When calling please let us know whether you want a general or customized session, the number of students in your class, how to reach you, and any special assignments you have planned involving library research. We are glad to use search examples tailored to what you are studying in class. Instructors are required to accompany their classes to all library instruction sessions. More than one session may be scheduled per class section to provide an in-depth introduction to library resources. Tours of the library building may also be scheduled.

All library instruction classes are taught by User Services librarians. Sue Alexander, Rhonda Armstrong, Karen Dearing, Jacqueline Dowdy, Ken Middleton, Sharon Parente, Mary Ellen Pozzebon, Neil Scott, Mayo Taylor, Amy York and Jiannan Wang. currently participate in the library instruction program. The User Services librarian assigned to your class will call you in advance to discuss class content in-depth.