Frequently Asked Questions
When can students request consultations?
- Students can make an appointment at any time during the semester.
- Students can claim an appointment time up to one hour before it begins, giving them the flexibility to choose a time that works for them.
How does this service work?
- When a student books an appointment, they’ll receive a confirmation email and a link to the Zoom session. The student and the librarian will meet virtually via Zoom for up to 45 minutes.
- We’re also happy to meet with students via phone or email! Students should email the librarian they’re matched with to ask for these options; their contact info will be included on the confirmation email.
- Since appointments are held in person in the Undergraduate Library and online over Zoom, students can choose what works best for them when making their appointments. Either way, they’ll still get a confirmation email.
How will this help my students?
- Students with specific issues, questions, or challenges will have the opportunity to strategize one-on-one with a librarian.
- Consultations will elaborate on aspects of the research process that cannot be covered in a single library instruction session.
- Students will leave with a personalized research plan, tailored to the student and where they are in their research. Together with the librarian, the student will make a list of next steps so they know what to do next.
- Just like consultations at the writing center, research consultations will be another tool for student success.
Who makes the request?
- Students should make their own appointments. However, feel free to recommend appointments to students as they work on completing their assignments.
How can I use this in my class?
- You can include information about this service on your syllabus, or link to our appointment page from your course’s LMS site.
- If you have students who are struggling with finding sufficient information or asking questions about the research process that you don’t have solutions for, that’s the time to recommend an appointment with a librarian.
- Encouraging students to schedule a consultation will reinforce positive help-seeking behaviors that will be useful throughout their academic careers.
Does this replace library instruction?
- No, this is a supplement to in-class library instruction sessions. Our in-class sessions are designed to cover foundational concepts and skills relevant to each course assignment. This service offers an opportunity for more individual attention to student-specific research issues. We imagine that these consultations would be most effective after an instruction session.
Who can I contact with questions or suggestions?
- Please contact Criss Guy with any questions or thoughts about this service.