Library Resources for Faculty

Classroom Library Instruction

Library instruction is the most important thing we do as librarians.  Our philosophy is based on the ACRL Framework for Information LIteracy for Higher Education.

• Talk to a BVU Librarian to schedule a library session for your class.  These sessions  can take place in your usual classroom or in the Library Classroom 1116. 
• A week's notice and your a copy of the assignment is appreciated.  Each session is tailored to your student's needs and your assignment, so let us know what you want us to cover.
• Schedule the session when your students will be most receptive to the information.
• We prefer using a full class period, but can work with shorter amounts of time if necessary.
• When possible we like to use active learning activities in class.  If there is something produced that can be graded or commented on, the librarian will take care of that. If you can award a few points for this activity, the students are more likely to be engaged and learn from it.
• We prefer if the faculty member is in attendance and engaged in the session.  Your participation makes a huge difference!
• If class time is precious, and we know it is, consider having students schedule a research consultation with a librarian.  These meetings can be held face to face or using Teams.  Students can schedule a 30 minute consultation when they are available OUTSIDE of your class and we can provide you student with a personalized research strategy.
• We have determined that library tours are not an effective use of our time or the student's time.  If you want a personal tour, please contact the Library Director.

Alternative Assignments that use Library Resources

Not all research assignments mean that you must assign (and grade!) a research paper.  Here are some ideas that go beyond the usual term paper assignment.

Creating Research Guides

We can create "research guides" for your class using LibGuides software.  This can be presented to students at a library instruction session or they can be a stand-alone resource for your students.

Research guides can easily be added to your Canvas class site, which is where your students are most likely to see them.

Research guides can help target the resources you want students to use.  Instructional videos can also be incorporated.

To get a sense of what we've already created, you can browse through BVU Research guides.

To see what other colleges and universities are producing you can simple Google "Libguides" and your class title.  The Libguides community makes sharing content easy, so if you see something you like we can ask to modify it for our own use.

Swank Digital Campus

The BVU Library partners with Swank to allow classroom use of major motion pictures.  Nearly all of your box office favorites are here!

The BVU Swank portal will allow you to browse the titles available.  To place a request for a film, faculty must create an account.  Requests are approved by the Library Director so that we stay within the guidelines of our license allotments.  All licenses are for one year.  Our current license allows us to license up to 25 films at any one time.  Please allow at least 48 hours for your request to be cleared before you make the film available to your students.  

Other streaming video options

We also maintain access to the following streaming video collections.  The content listed below is readily available to students.  Swank content is NOT available to students except through their class.  The contents of these streaming video databases are searchable in the library catalog and appear with links to view the content.

Research Appointments

Students or faculty can schedule research appointments with a Reference Librarian.  

Appointments are 30 minutes long and must be made at least an hour in advance.

Appointments can be conducted via Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or in person.

Faculty may want to require that students make an appointment with a librarian as part of a research assignment.  Please alert us if you require this so that we can keep track of our appointments to report to you and  to expand our schedule if necessary to accommodate everyone.