Faculty Services

Kirkwood librarians can support student learning in a number of different ways:

• A presentation or activity for your class through Zoom, on a specific topic. To name just a few possible topics: citing sources; searching library databases; searching Google effectively; critical evaluation of information; or quick analysis to scan for misleading, false, or "fake news". We are happy to collaborate with faculty on creating an effective activity or assignment to help students gain specific research skills relevant to your course. Read about even more ideas in a recent blog post!
• A set of online resources, activities, and/or tutorials designed and curated especially for your class needs.
• One-on-one research consultations with you or your students, using our online reservation form.
• Direct support in creating effective research assignments. Read more about this in a recent blog post. 

Please request library instruction by using the appropriate online form, or by calling the Main Library or Iowa City Campus reference desk:

At the heart of the library's work and mission is the support of information literacy learning and teaching for our students and faculty. To learn more about information literacy, and for resources to support information literacy learning, see our Information Literacy guide, linked below:

Kirkwood Library Services provides excellent and professional reference service to students, faculty, and staff in a number of different ways:

• Stop by the Cedar Rapids or Iowa City Campus Libraries during our regular desk hours (until 9pm at the CR campus, until 8pm at the IC campus).
• Make an appointment with a librarian for an extended consultation about your research project.
• Use the "Ask a Librarian" chat function, available from the Library homepage, and from most of the LibGuides pages, for quick and timely help.

The page you're looking at right now was created using software called "LibGuides". It features flexible layout, easy updating, and reusable components. The content can also be embedded directly into your Talon courses. If you'd like a page with resources especially for your students, contact a librarian and we'll collaborate with you on locating the best resources for your particular assignments and in designing a page that fits your students' needs.

Examples of some customized pages for Kirkwood classes:

Global Perspectives in Interior Design

Agricultural Science

The page we create for your class can feature:

• Direct links to library resources such as the book catalog or any of the subscription databases
• Direct links to other online resources you want to direct your students to
• Pages or boxes from any of the library LibGuides pages, embedded directly into your page so your students know the resources are instructor-approved. For example, we could put a tab on your page called "MLA Style" that will include videos on MLA Citation as well as printable guides.
• Links that won't "go bad." Because they link directly into the library's pages, if we update a link to a database, the link on your page will automatically update as well
• Your LibGuides page can be embedded directly into many types of course sites, including Talon.

Contact a librarian for more details, or to get started on your own LibGuide. In Cedar Rapids contact Kate Hess (x5605); in Iowa City contact David Strass (x3619)