1. Please consult relevant Subject Guides and Student Support Tools when you are planning your courses and designing new research assignments.

2. Instruction Sessions may be scheduled for 50-minute or 75-minute blocks.

3. Requests for Instruction Sessions must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance.

Instruction sessions are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please request early to secure your preferred date and allow time for your librarian to:

  • Build custom lesson plans, research guides, and practical activities.
  • Confirm the library has sufficient resources to support your assignment.

4. No Library Instruction Sessions will be scheduled during the first week of a quarter.

Students learn and retain research skills best when instruction coincides with an active assignment rather than a general overview at the start of the quarter.

5. Instruction Sessions must tie to a specific assignment, and students should have topics ready for hands-on research.

Schedule sessions just as students begin their research projects, when the skills are immediately relevant. To get the most out of the session, please ensure that students at least choose preliminary topics beforehand.

6. Send your syllabus and assignment prompt at least a week ahead of time so we can customize your session.

  • Collaborate on Resources: Share the tools you want covered, but be open to recommendations.
  • Leverage Our Expertise: Library databases and collections change constantly. We know the strengths of our vast print and digital holdings and can identify the best tools for your students.

7. Faculty or Instructors must be present for the duration of the session.

While librarians guide students through research tools and strategies, only you can clarify assignment requirements and approve topic choices.

Teaching Librarians can help determine whether UCSB Library has sufficient resources to support your research assignment, and whether the assignment is realistic with regard to time frame, level of difficulty, etc.

Teaching Librarians can partner with you to design research assignments that build critical information literacy skills while advancing your course goals. Reach out to us to collaborate on your curriculum.

When you are ready to place a request for an Assignment-based Instruction Session, please use the Instruction Request Form.