Teaching Support

Trent University Library offers a range of support services for faculty and instructors.

As information specialists, we are well positioned to teach students about finding and using information, organizing resources, thinking critically, and researching ethically. When librarians work together with instructors to include these skills in their courses, it enhances the educational experience and better prepares students for the challenges of academic research.

We highly recommend taking a moment to send us a message at library@trentu.ca to see how we can support your course.

Suggested text to include in your syllabus 

(Longer version) 

A quick note on using the Library. 

To ensure your success at Trent, I strongly encourage you to take full advantage of the resources our Library offers. Here are three ways to make better use of the library: 

  1. Meet with a Librarian: The best way to improve your research skills quickly is to schedule a one-on-one meeting with your subject librarian. Click on your subject here to find your subject librarian. They will equip you with the skills to find high quality information more quickly. This will serve you well throughout your time at Trent. 
  2. Learn how to use Omni: Invest a bit of time (maybe 15 or 20 minutes) learning how to use Omni to find books and journal articles. Unlike Google's natural language search, Omni operates on keywords and boolean operators. Check out the Library’s keyword searching guide to learn more. 
  3. Use the Library building: Make the Library buildings (Bata or Durham Library) a part of your academic life. Drop in and find a spot to catch up on readings, book a study space, charge your devices, and maybe run into friends.  

Remember, our Librarians and Library staff want to help you succeed. Don't hesitate to reach out with questions via email (library@trentu.ca) or to ask a question in person at the Library Service Desk.  

 

(Shorter version) 

Need to do a research project or essay, but don't know where to start? Looking for a book, article, or data to support your argument? Ask a librarian! Reach out to our main email (library@trentu.ca) or for specialized help, find your subject librarian and book a meeting with them. 

 

Other information to include in your syllabus

1. A link to your subject librarian's contact page 

Students are welcome to contact their subject librarians for any questions about research resources and library services. 

  • Allison Ridgway (Peterborough): Bachelor of Arts & Science, Cultural Studies, English Literature, ESL, French & Francophone Studies, Gender & Social Justice, Languages & Linguistics, Media Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, University Bridge 

  • Ellen Olsen-Lynch (Peterborough): Agriculture, Biology, Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Computer Science & Information Systems, Environmental Sciences, Forensic Science, Geography, Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Nursing, Physics 

  • James Watson (Peterborough): Ancient Greek & Roman Studies, Anthropology, Archeology, Canadian Studies, Education, History, Indigenous Studies, International Development Studies, Law, Political Studies 

  • Abdullah Yossofzai (Durham): Business & Economics, Child & Youth Studies, Communications, Criminology & Policing, Journalism 

2. A link to your subject's research guide 

Using their subject’s research guide, students can find resources pertinent to their work, including academic databases, books, journals, or professional internet resources. 

Find your research guide here. Faculty are welcome to make comments or suggestions to improve the subject guides with the liaison librarians. 

3. A link to the Maps, Data, & Government Information Centre.  

MaDGIC facilitates access to a world of research materials and technologies such as maps, atlases, air photos, geospatial and statistical data, government information, and specialized software and hardware to work with these materials in new and innovative ways. Find more information on MaDGIC here.

4. A link to the Archives research guides. 

The Archives offers a unique opportunity to work with primary sources. Take a moment to view the Archives research guides or browse the Archives by subject to see if they have material relevant to your work. 

The Trent University Library offers a Library Research Skills Course designed to teach students the information literacy and research skills they need for success, including developing a research question, types of research resources (academic vs. popular, etc.), strategically searching for resources using Omni (Trent’s library search tool), and critical evaluation of sources.

This course is available asynchronously on Blackboard. Please reach out to the Library (library@trentu.ca) to request enrollment for students in your course. The course is available throughout each semester, and you may select the due date by which you want students to complete the course.

The course is currently made up of three modules, each of which takes between 20-40 minutes to complete. Students complete an untimed, open-book, multiple-choice quiz at the end of each module. Students will receive a Certificate of Completion upon completing all three quizzes with grades of 100%. Students can retake quizzes as many times as necessary until they achieve 100%.

We encourage instructors to integrate this course as part of your syllabus and final grade to encourage students to complete the course and hone their research and information literacy skills.

Librarians offer in-class information literacy and research workshops. Most workshops range from 30 to 90 minutes and can be tailored to specific research-based assignments and skills needed in your course.

Workshop topics may include but are not limited to:

  • developing a research question/topic
  • keyword searching in Omni (Trent’s library search tool)
  • strategic searching in subject-specific databases
  • critically evaluating research sources
  • how to use citation management software

Our goal is to promote information literacy, focusing on teaching students to effectively use and critically assess information. This skill ensures students submit better quality assignments and are prepared for a lifetime of assessing the veracity of information.

For more information on how to incorporate library resources into your teaching or to schedule a workshop, please contact library@trentu.ca.