Instruction and Research Consultation Services

Doane Library is strongly committed to teaching students how to make full and appropriate use of the information sources available to them.

Library Instruction

We offer instruction for classes, to schedule one, please use our Online Form.  We also offer more in-depth assistance on an individual or small group basis. The best way to start any research project it to meet with a librarian!
  • Find out what resources are available at the library.
  • Learn how to search CONSORT and OhioLINK and other catalogs of major research centers.
  • Request obscure material through Interlibrary Loans.
  • Learn how to effectively search and evaluate sources on the Internet.

Juniors considering Senior Research Projects for next year should consult with a librarian as soon as possible!

You can contact any of the librarians listed below to schedule an individual Research Consultation:

E-mail or call Joshua Finnell - Humanities Liaison Librarian at ext. xxxx.
E-mail or call Moriana Garcia - Natural Sciences Liaison Librarian at ext. 5714.
E-mail or call Lareese Hall - Fine Arts Liaison Librarian at ext. 6688.
E-mail or call Roger Kosson - Social Sciences Liaison Librarian at ext. 6389.

E-mail or call Mary Prophet - Deputy Director/Government Documents Librarian at ext. 6512.
E-mail or call Debby Andreadis - Assistant Director for Education and Research Services at ext. 5653.
E-mail or call Heather Lyle - University Archivist at ext. 6399.
E-mail or call Earl Griffith - Assistant Director for Collections and Scholarly Resources at ext. 6619. 

Instruction A La Carte Menu

As the library's electronic resources have grown, so have the number of topics professors would like covered in library instruction sessions. But at the same time, the length of the sessions themselves has remained constant. Below is a list of the most commonly requested topics with an approximation of how long each takes to cover. We stress hands-on activities for the student, which enhances student learning and retention, but it also takes longer to conduct. While hardly set in stone, this list can help you decide which topics you want addressed in the limited time available. (This is not an exhaustive list; if you would like other resources or topics addressed, we'd be happy to discuss the options with you.) All courses are prepared to your individual tastes! Before creating or assigning a library project, please consult us for practical advice on developing an assignment using library resources, common problems to avoid, and alternatives to the traditional research paper.

Topics and Time Requirements

  • Introduction and conclusion (required)=5 minutes
  • Search strategy techniques (strongly recommended)=10-15 minutes
  • Library catalogs (CONSORT & OhioLINK)=15 minutes
  • General interest databases= 15 minutes per database
  • Specialized databases= 15 minutes per database
  • Finding full text = 10-15 minutes
  • Distinguishing between popular vs scholarly journals = 15 minutes
  • Evaluating websites = 25 minutes
  • Academic integrity = 20 minutes
  • Literary criticism index = 30 minutes
  • Tour of Denison library = 20 minutes

Library instruction should be scheduled as closely as possible to the time your students start working on their projects or assignments.

Sessions are held in the library's electronic classroom, which allows students to learn in a hands-on environment. Please Note the new location of the electronic classroom is on the lower level in Room 102. A librarian can also come to your classroom to offer instruction.

If your assignment requires using many different sources or if you request library instruction for the same course each semester, librarians can create a Web page specifically for your class. Visit our Class Pages for examples.

To schedule an instruction session, use the Online Form or email Debby Andreadis or call x5653 well in advance (at least a week before) to have a better chance of getting the dates and times you would like. We tend to be very busy at the beginning of the semester.

Research Consultation

We also offer more in-depth assistance on an individual or small group basis. The best way to start any research project is to meet with a librarian!
  • Find out what resources are available at the library.
  • Learn how to search CONSORT and OhioLINK and other catalogs of major research centers.
  • Request obscure material through Interlibrary Loans.
  • Learn how to effectively search and evaluate sources on the Internet.

Juniors considering Senior Research Projects for next year should consult with a librarian as soon as possible!

You can contact any of the librarians listed below to schedule an individual Research Consultation:

E-mail or call Joshua Finnell - Humanities Liaison Librarian at ext. xxxx.
E-mail or call Moriana Garcia - Natural Sciences Liaison Librarian at ext. 5714.
E-mail or call Lareese Hall - Fine Arts Liaison Librarian at ext. 6688.
E-mail or call Roger Kosson - Social Sciences Liaison Librarian at ext. 6389.

E-mail or call Mary Prophet - Deputy Director/Government Documents Librarian at ext. 6512.
E-mail or call Debby Andreadis - Assistant Director for Education and Research Services at ext. 5653.
E-mail or call Heather Lyle - University Archivist at ext. 6399.
E-mail or call Earl Griffith - Assistant Director for Collections and Scholarly Resources at ext. 6619.