Instruction
The library offers a variety of instruction options to support your students research skills including:
- Online live classroom instruction via Teams or Blackboard
- Classroom instruction in your room or library classrooms*
- Interactive tutorials
- Video tutorials
Our tutorial collection has over 100 content items and integrates with Blackboard.
Our instruction faculty can cover a variety of topics including:
- Library orientation
- Topic development
- Searching library resources (catalog, databases, etc.)
- Expert Google searching
- Information evaluation
- Ethical information use (plagiarism, copyright, etc.)
- Discipline specific research tactics
To schedule a session, please fill out the Library Instruction Request Form or contact Michael Saar, Head of Instructional Services and Assessment by email at Michael.saar@big5vn.com or by phone at (409) 880-2135.
Reserves
The library enables instructors to submit articles and other class materials (books, videos, sample tests, etc.) to be placed on reserve in the library so that students can access the information at their convenience.
To request that an item be placed on reserve or e-reserve, please fill out the Faculty Reserve Request Form.
Research and Creative Activity
- Online Guides: The library has created a collection of online guides to assist with research in a variety of subject areas including, for example, Nursing. More specific guides can be created for use by individual classes at the request of an instructor.
- Research Librarians: Research librarians are available via email at ref@big5vn.com or chat to assist students, faculty and staff.
- Interlibrary Loan: Interlibrary Loan will borrow materials from other libraries if the items are not available at the Mary and John Gray Library. More information can be found on the Interlibrary Loan webpage.
Service Highlights
- Materials: The library provides databases and thousands of print and electronic journals and books. The library is also a repository for state and federal government documents.
- Archival Projects: The library maintains university records and presidential papers and develops special collections. The library procured a TexShare grant in 2014 to digitize back issues of the Lamar University newspaper.
- Grants: Our acquisitions department will, upon request, aid in the selection and pricing of grant-funded materials.
- Events: The library hosts author visits and functions, such as therapy dogs, throughout the year.
Faculty Toolkit