Instruction Materials

Below are a sampling of materials that I have created and used both in library instruction classes I have taught and in general use at the library.

Unless otherwise noted, all materials are either in .PPTX or .PDF format.


1.  Information Literacy Classes: English 101 / Graphic NovelsFaculty Development DayFire Science / Library 101 /
Since I began working as a Librarian, I have taught a variety of classes for students at the City University of New York John Jay College of Criminal Justice, both formal and informal. The majority of formal classes have been aimed at freshmen students with a focus on a general introduction to research and library resources including information literacy, database use, and research instruction. Each class is geared to the needs of the students and requests of the professor of the visiting class which means that a variety of subjects are covered. I have taught library instruction classes with focuses on subjects such as: English 101, Sociology, Speech, Economics, Law, and Criminal Justice. In addition I have also taught informal workshops or “minis” which tend to cover topics such as short introductions to specific databases, research tips and tricks as well as how to properly use citation formats such as APA and MLA. The links above are to some samples of presentations that I have used in some of the formal classes I have taught over the years. These files are in .pptx and .pdf format.

2. General Handouts: Graphic NovelScholarly Journal Search / Faculty Development Day / Log-On Maze / Printing Scanning and Copying / Annotated Bibliography / Library Graphic Novel Survey
Here are links to some handouts that I have put together. The first was created as part of an information literacy class that focused on graphic novels and other such materials. This handout was intended to both give the class some reference material on graphic novels as well as help them to use such materials in academic papers. The second focuses on aiding students in understanding how to recognize scholarly articles as well as how to organize a database search for peer reviewed material. The third was part of a demonstration given to faculty to demonstrate mobile and desktop tool options available to them for constant and reliable access to notes and citations. The fourth handout was to help students understand how and where to access a variety of online portals and services the college offers. The fifth handout was created for use in the library’s computer lab for students to have a more detailed grasp of how to approach the printing, copying, and scanning systems. The sixth handout was put together as a short guide for students who were unsure how to begin working on an annotated bibliography. The seventh handout was a survey put together to gauge interest about our graphic novels collection from the main graphic novel club at the college.

3.Introduction to Library Research
This handout slowly developed over 2012-2014 out of a necessity to provide students with comprehensive information regarding library research and resources during visits to classes outside the physical library itself, where sometimes there was limited or no computer access available.

4. College Now: Basic Concepts and Resources
This handout was put together for College Now classes that have come in to the library during the summertime in 2012 and 2013. College Now is a CUNY program that works together with the New York City secondary public school system to give its students an opportunity to help students meet high school graduation requirements and prepare for college by taking college-credit and college-preparatory courses. The handout is a summary of basic concepts and resources available for student research, which had a focus on criminal justice topics.

5. Crossroads Information Literacy Summer Program Presentation 2008 and 2009
These PowerPoint presentation were created and used in the summers of 2008 and 2009 for Information Literacy classes that were part of the Crossroads program at the City University of New York John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Crossroads was a series of classes for potential incoming student who had failed a part of the CUNY entrance exam. These classes were taught by myself as well as other librarians on staff. The presentation is intended to be an overview of Information Literacy concepts, available library resources, and a short exercise for the class to participate in to improve their familiarity with using the library and its collection. This presentation was also designed to be easy to modify to suit the tastes and needs of other librarians teaching the crossroads program. These files are in .pptx format.

6. Crossroads Information Literacy Summer Lesson Plan and Tour Handout
This is the lesson plan and tour that accompanies the above Crossroads Information Literacy Presentation. This lesson plan includes a listing of suggested topics and call numbers (page 6) for students having a difficult time with the class exercise as well as a copy of a worksheet used for the student exercise (page 7). The tour is a listing hot spots in the library as well as some interesting key facts. Page 2 of this file is a short overview of Call Numbers.


Below are two different versions of a draft syllabus that I was asked to put together for a proposed Library Instruction class that was intended to be held during the 2009 winter (January) intersession period. Unfortunately the class never moved past the development stage and was shelved for the time being. The main difference between the two versions of the syllabus are in how the class is scheduled. One syllabus is centered on a ten class schedule and the other deals with an extremely intensive four day-all day version of the course.

1.  Proposed Library Instruction Class: Ten Week Syllabus Draft
This is the ten week version of the syllabus draft for a proposed Library Instruction class.

2.  Proposed Library Instruction Class: Four Day Syllabus Draft
This is the four day intensive version of the syllabus draft for a proposed Library Instruction class.