Skip to Main Content

Course & Subject Guides

Ask Your Librarians - Greensburg Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How can I schedule an instruction session with the library?
    You can click here to fill out our online instruction request form. Please submit your request at least two weeks in advance in order for the library to accommodate your request.
  2. Would a librarian join my online-only course for a session(s)?
    Yes! Librarians can join your class online, synchronously or asynchronously. Contact us and we'll arrange it.
  3. Will an information literacy instruction session take up an entire class period?
    Not necessarily. While traditional information literacy instruction sessions typically last around 45-60 minutes, we can also cover topics separately, in multiple shorter sessions. It all depends what works best for your class.
  4. What are my options beyond the traditional information literacy instruction session?
    Librarians are able to teach for shorter spans of time if you do not want to devote an entire class meeting to an instruction session. You can also encourage your students to schedule a research consultation. Librarians can meet with students one-on-one or in small groups, in person or online. You can also point students to our many LibGuides that are designed to help them through specific courses. Need a LibGuide for your class? Let us know!
  5. I unfortunately don't have the time this semester to commit a class period to coming to the library, but I would like my students to still see some of your materials. Any suggestions?
    We suggest either recommending or requiring students to make a research consultation appointment with a librarian to ensure they are still getting the instruction they might need regarding library and research tools. Alternatively, you can point out some of the library LibGuides that are designed to help students in specific classes or contact us about designing a LibGuide specifically for your class.

Requesting Item Purchases

Information Literacy

Information literacy is a combination of discrete skills and habits of mind, both of which are vital for the lifelong process of learning and intellectual development.  At Pitt-Greensburg, the information literate individual:

  • recognizes a research need and actively initiates a process of inquiry;
  • values intellectual curiosity in developing questions and learning new investigative methods;
  • strategically and reflectively discovers information;
  • critically evaluates and selects information based on context;
  • processes information effectively to learn, to create and communicate new knowledge, to solve problems, and to make decisions;
  • demonstrates ethical and responsible behavior when using information.

Information literacy encompasses but is not limited to the following concepts: critical thinking; problem solving; digital, visual and media literacies; digital citizenship; information technology skills; written and oral communication skills; academic literacy; disciplinary and interdisciplinary thinking.

Every individual has the right to be information literate. The Millstein Library strives to collaboratively develop the skills and habits of mind related to information literacy, with the goal of contributing to a culture of inquiry that includes critical reflection and leads to academic success. To this end, the Millstein Library will offer services, expertise, and physical space in which students feel comfortable interacting with information, as well as creating and communicating new knowledge, so they may actively develop their information literacy skills throughout their time at Pitt-Greensburg as a foundation for the lifelong processes of learning and intellectual development.