Library Instruction
Our librarians can tailor sessions specifically to your course, teaching students the best methods for finding, evaluating, and using information. From guiding them through key resources to mastering research strategies, exploring artists' books and/or zines, we’ve got you covered. The Pratt Institute Archives also provides instruction about the history, collections, and use of the archives.
Course Instruction
Collaborate with a librarian to equip your students with essential information literacy and research skills, empowering them to confidently navigate Pratt Libraries' print and digital resources. Together, we’ll craft a customized session that directly supports your course content and assignments, guided by select learning objectives (see below), ensuring their success.
Archives Instruction
The Pratt Institute Archives offers instruction to introduce students to the Library’s unique collections and primary sources. They'll gain hands-on experience with archival research, learn to analyze documents, and explore the value of archives in academic inquiry.
Course Instruction Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes are key skills or knowledge students should gain from a session. Librarians and faculty collaborate to identify the outcomes most relevant to each course
Introduction to Library & Research Services
Students will be able to:
- Understand the purpose and functions of the library as a resource for academic success
- Identify key library services and resources available to students, including research support and technology access
- Navigate the library’s website, databases, and catalog to locate physical and digital resources effectively
Keyword Brainstorming
Students will be able to:
- Develop skills in generating effective keywords and phrases for research topics
- Analyze how dominant discourses influence keyword selection (e.g., using “illegal immigrant” vs. “undocumented worker”). Also, how industry or technical jargon can influence keywords
- Apply techniques for refining and expanding keyword searches to enhance resource discovery
Evaluating Sources
Students will be able to:
- Differentiate between various types of sources (e.g., primary, secondary, scholarly, popular) and their relevance to research.
- Determine when it is appropriate to make use of different source types.
- Evaluate the authority and context of sources rather than assume that “scholarly” automatically means “unbiased.”
- Recognize the importance of diverse perspectives in research and how to incorporate them into academic work.
Resource Searching and Assessing Results
Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate effective searching techniques in library databases, including the use of filters and advanced search options.
- Assess the relevance and quality of search results to determine their suitability for academic projects.
- Utilize tools and strategies for saving and organizing research findings for future use.
Citations
Students will be able to:
- Define the purpose and importance of citing sources in academic writing.
- Investigate citation patterns and identify whose work is being centered or excluded.
- Learn how to properly format citations in a citation style (e.g., MLA, Chicago).
- Organize and format references using Zotero as a citation management software.
Artists’ Books, Zines, Special Collections
Students will be able to:
- Define what an artists’ book or zine is, and identify how it differs from other published media
- Analyze the form, material, and meaning of a special collections object through a cold read.
- Discuss and explore multiple interpretations of an object with peers and faculty.
- Find special collections objects in the library catalog.
- Identify points of access in the library for working with special collections items.
Archives Instruction Learning Outcomes
- Introduction to Pratt Institute Archives
- Students will be able to identify and access key materials in the Pratt Institute Archives , understand their significance in preserving its institutional history, and effectively utilize these resources for research and academic purposes.
- Understanding Archives
- Students will be able to understand the structure of an archive, explain the archival approach to collecting and describing materials, and identify the utility and research value of sources from archival collections for academic purposes.
- Resource Searching
- Students will investigate how to navigate finding aids and other archival discovery platforms, track their research, identify the means to access materials from archives, and learn how to expand their research across collections.
- Active In-class Researching
- Students conduct independent research using Pratt Institute Archives' discovery platforms with an archivist or librarian on-hand to provide research help and assistance.
- Guided Exploration of Pratt Archival Materials
- Students explore a selection of archival materials pulled from Pratt Institute Archives’ collections with the guidance of an archivist or librarian and reflect upon the interpretation of archival materials.