Integrating the Library Into the Blackboard Course Management System

Why?

• Enhance your courses by linking to relevant web sites, online journals, e-Resources, and Library Resource Guides.
  
• Provide your students with an opportunity to make contact with a librarian when a research question or need for help arises.

We Will Help!

• Each academic department is assigned a liaison at the Library. This professional can help choose appropriate library resources, assist with the integration of research into courses, arrange for Library Instruction sessions, or work with faculty on specific research assignments.
  
• Support for Blackboard is available from Instructional Technology and Distributed Learning:
  
  
  • Al Labonis - Instructional Designer, ITDL: 610-660-1772
    
  • David Lees - Director, ITDL: 610-660-1770
    
  • http://it.sju.edu/instructional_technology/blackboard/faculty.html

How?

Consult with a librarian

Contact the Library Liaison for your department, who will suggest resources appropriate to the subject of your course and the research needs of your students.

• If you bring your class to the Library for an instruction session, a librarian can create a handout for your class that could be posted to your Blackboard site.
  
• Librarians are happy to consult with you to create customized materials to assist your students with their research.
  
• Individual or small group appointments for students and faculty are also available.
  

Include the Library in your course design:

Add Links:

• Link to the Reference Help: (available 24/7)
  
• Link to one of our research guides by subject
  
• Add a 'Persistent (Durable)' link to the database you prefer students use when they conduct research for your class.*
  
• Add a 'Persistent (Durable)' link to a journal article that is required reading. (Note: Not all articles are available for linking.)*
  
• Add a 'Persistent (Durable)' link to an eJournal related to your course. *
  
• Add a link to a library e-reserve item. Please contact Martha VanAuken at the Service Desk (610-660-1900) or (vanauken@sju.edu) with questions regarding this limited service for electronic reserves.
  
• Add direct links to credible web sites pertaining to your particular topic or assignment.

* When adding a 'Persistent (Durable)' link to 'subscription resources' - it is best to create the link so that it incorporates the Library's proxy server information. Then students working from off-campus will always be presented with an SJU login screen and will gain access to the resources. More information on creating 'Persistent (Durable)' links.

Assignments

• Follow up the research assignment guidelines with a link to a specific library resource* that will offer the best information. Librarians will be happy to work with you to set up the link or to create a specific web page for your class.
  
• Have students compare two opinions on a topic, expressed in two separate journal articles. Link directly to each article* in the outline of the assignment.
  

Course Documents

• Make a 'Course Articles' folder where students will link directly to journal articles* that are required reading. (Contact the Library Liaison for your department)
  
• Make a 'Live Chat Topics' folder where students will link directly to journal articles. These required readings will be the springboard for live chats at scheduled times.
  

Tools

• Schedule library instruction to coincide with an assignment that requires research.
  
• Place the timetable of library instruction on the course calendar.

Cynthia H. Slater Business Reference Librarian Saint Joseph's University	Last revision / review:  October 2, 2008