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Information Literacy Guide for Faculty

This guide is designed to help you learn about information literacy (IL) instruction services offered by NWACC Library

Ways to Work with Librarians

Partner with NWACC librarians in the way that best supports your course. We offer flexible models that meet students where they are:

  • In-person, one-shot session: A single visit focused on key skills tied to an assignment.
  • Scaffolded support: Multiple sessions across the semester to guide students step by step.
  • Embedded librarian (Canvas): A librarian inside your course shell, providing just-in-time help and IL content.
  • Class librarian (in person): A librarian who visits your class repeatedly, building continuity and relationships.

Tip: You can combine models, for example, pair in-person visits with an Embedded Librarian in Canvas for hybrid or flipped learning.

What You’ll Get

No matter which option you choose, librarians deliver content that saves you time and prepares your students for success.

  • Targeted micro-modules (search, evaluate, cite) that can integrate directly into Canvas and your gradebook.
  • Short videos and guides tailored to your assignment and learning outcomes.
  • Topic/refinement support so students start with stronger research questions.
  • Discussion/Q&A presence for just-in-time answers and resource suggestions.
  • Announcements/reminders tied to project milestones.
  • Optional Teams drop-ins or 1:1 appointments linked from Canvas.

Faculty focus on subject matter. Librarians cover information literacy. Together, students succeed.

✅ Faculty presence during sessions and quick follow-ups in Canvas measurably boost student engagement.

Instruction Timing & Best Practices

Plan ahead

  • Schedule close to the assignment. Students learn best when they’re starting research.
  • Share your materials early. Send the syllabus, prompt, rubric, outcomes, and any sample topics so we can align instruction.
  • Confirm logistics. Tell us the modality (in-person, online, hybrid), accessibility needs, and any Canvas/Teams tools you use.

Timing that works

  • Two-touch model. Brief intro early → targeted workshop later (e.g., topic refinement → evidence & citation).
  • Flipped/hybrid options. Assign short videos or modules before class; use live time for practice.

During the session

  • Be present. Faculty presence signals importance and helps connect activities to course goals.
  • Active learning > demos. Expect guided practice (search, evaluate, cite) with quick checks.
  • Inclusive by design. Captioned media, readable slides, and options for different pace/skills.

After the session

  • Reinforce in Canvas. Post a reminder, add a reflection or quiz, and link the same resources students used in class.
  • Follow-ups. Offer short drop-ins, Q&A threads in Canvas, or 1:1 librarian appointments.

Bottom line: Right-time, right-size instruction + faculty presence = stronger work and easier grading.

Integrate a Librarian into Your Class

Embedded Librarians (in Canvas) bring library expertise directly into your course shell. Students get just-in-time help with research, and you gain a teaching partner focused on information literacy—the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use information for college-level work.

Expanded for in-person courses: our Class Librarian model combines repeat in-class visits with the same librarian embedded in Canvas. Students see a familiar face in both spaces, building confidence and continuity.

Great for hybrid and flipped models: students preview concepts asynchronously, so live class time focuses on practice and application.

  • Targeted micro-modules (search, evaluate, cite) with quick checks that can feed into your gradebook
  • Short videos and step-by-step guides tailored to your assignment and outcomes
  • Topic/refinement support so students get early feedback and start strong
  • Discussion/Q&A presence for timely answers and resource suggestions
  • Announcements/reminders tied to project milestones
  • Optional Teams drop-ins or 1:1 appointments linked from Canvas
  • Collaboration on assignment design: review prompts, suggest information literacy outcomes and assessments, and recommend resources

Why it matters for student success

  • Retention rates are higher when courses include IL instruction
  • First-year GPAs are higher
  • Students complete 1.8 more credit hours per year

Source: Blake, J., Bowles-Terry, M., Pearson, N. S., & Szentkiralyi, Z. (2017). The impact of information literacy instruction on student success: A multi-institutional investigation and analysis. Fondren Library Research, (13). https://scholar.smu.edu/libraries_cul_research/13

Bottom line: Information Literacy is one of NWACC’s General Learning Outcomes. Partnering with an Embedded or Class Librarian lets you focus on your subject expertise, while students get expert research support that improves success now and in future courses.

Is Embedded Right for My Course?

  • Best fits: online, hybrid, writing-intensive, or multi-step research projects.
  • Great for flipped models: students preview concepts in Canvas, class time focuses on application.
  • Also works for face-to-face: pair an in-class Class Librarian with Canvas support for continuity.

Request Library Instruction or Embedded Support

Ready to bring a librarian into your class?

Use the form below to tell us your preferred date(s), course/section, and whether you’d like:

  • In-person session (one-time or scaffolded visits)
  • Embedded Librarian inside Canvas
  • Class Librarian for ongoing, in-person + Canvas continuity
  • Digital Learning Object (ready-to-use or custom micro-module)
  • Assignment Review to align research tasks with outcomes

We’ll follow up to confirm details and tailor support to your students.

Tip: For the best experience, schedule library support close to when students begin their research assignments.

Choose Your Support Model

In-Person One-Shot

A single class visit tailored to your assignment and outcomes.

  • Best for introducing research basics or jumpstarting projects
  • Aligned with your course rubric and assignment prompt

In-Person Scaffolded

Multiple librarian visits across the semester to guide students step by step.

  • Best for complex or multi-stage projects
  • Supports skills development from topic selection to citation

Embedded Librarian (Canvas)

Ongoing, in-course support: mini-modules, announcements, Q&A, and timely feedback inside Canvas.

  • Best for online/hybrid, multi-step projects, or flipped classes
  • Asynchronous with optional short live touchpoints

Class Librarian (In-Person + Canvas)

A librarian visits your in-person class multiple times and is embedded in Canvas, providing continuity and just-in-time help.

  • Best for face-to-face courses that want ongoing support
  • Pairs with Canvas for pre-work, quick checks, and resources

Digital Learning Object (Plug-and-Play)

A ready-to-use or custom micro-module (video, page, quiz, worksheet) you can drop into Canvas.

  • Best for flipped/hybrid or tight timelines
  • Fast to deploy; can be tailored to your assignment

Not sure which option fits best? Contact us to talk about your assignment and modality, and we’ll recommend the right model for your course. Find your librarian on the spreadsheet linked below.

Assignment Review

Share your research assignment, even in draft form, and we’ll help refine it. A small adjustment early can save your students (and you) a lot of frustration later.

  • Review your prompt for clarity and feasibility; flag hidden barriers.
  • Map information literacy outcomes to the assignment and suggest assessments.
  • Recommend right-sized resources (databases, videos, guides, checklists).
  • Provide plug-and-play materials (worksheets, videos, Canvas pages).
  • The earlier you share, the more we can tailor support.

Result: students avoid weak websites and head straight for stronger, college-level sources.