Enhance Your Students’ Learning with Library Instruction
As you’re planning your courses this semester, consider partnering with the library to enrich your students’ learning experience. Did you know we offer three distinct types of instruction, each tailored to different aspects of research, creativity, and discovery?
Archives & Special Collections
The PC Archives & Special Collections collaborates with faculty to develop instruction sessions and projects using our collections. The ASC features historical collections, manuscripts, media, and rare books; topics include the history of the College as well as Rhode Island and US history. We also have an extensive rare and non-circulating book collection to support a wide range of subjects. In addition to our own collecting strengths, we are also able to support students and faculty using digital primary source collections from anywhere.
Instruction sessions can range from a one-time visit to introduce primary source research and resources to more in-depth projects such as zines, exhibits, and research papers. Whether it is a creative project or a thesis, the ASC can support faculty teaching and student learning across disciplines.
To schedule: Contact Michelle Chiles, Head of Archives & Special Collections, at mchiles@providence.edu for more information!
Media Project Instruction
Planning a multimedia assignment this semester? The Digital Projects & Metadata team offers hands-on, assignment-specific instruction to help your students succeed with tools like podcasting, video production, digital storytelling, and design software. We’ve supported a wide range of sessions across disciplines, including:
- 🎙 Podcasting & audio editing (GarageBand, Audacity)
- 🎥 Video production & editing (iMovie, Adobe Express, CapCut)
- 🎨 Visual design (Canva, Photoshop, InDesign)
- 📖 Digital storytelling, zines, and “unessay” formats
📊 Academic posters & presentations
Students can also access the Media Production Studio, located in collaboration with The Writing Center on the 2nd floor of the library. The studio offers a dedicated space and professional-grade equipment for producing high-quality multimedia work. Please note: Appointments are required to reserve the space and ensure staff support is available.
Additionally, the library offers Loanable Technology with cameras, tripods, microphones, drawing tablets, and more to support student media projects. Let us help your students build the skills they need to bring their creative projects to life
To schedule: Contact Megan Lessard, Head of Digital Projects & Metadata, at mlesar1@providence.edu.
Research & Education Instruction
Research & Education librarians design and teach library instruction sessions tailored to fit the specific research and curricular needs of students in particular courses. Librarians teach methods of research, sources of information, database searching, selecting keywords, citation management and evaluation of information.
Examples of what course-related instruction sessions may include are:
- Crafting research keywords to enable more effective searching
- Finding scholarly articles and books in the library collection
- Getting material from other institutions by Interlibary Loan
- Locating relevant primary sources
- Properly documenting and citing sources
- General Internet search and evaluation strategies
To schedule: Fill out this form or contact Andria Tieman Michney, Library Instruction Coordinator, at atieman@providence.edu (x1252).
Collaborative Instruction Across Areas
While each of these instruction areas can stand alone, they also work well in combination. Faculty are encouraged to collaborate with multiple library departments to create comprehensive, cross-disciplinary experiences for their students. For example, a class might begin by working with Archives & Special Collections to analyze primary sources, then partner with a Research & Education librarian to deepen their research, and finally work with the Digital Projects & Metadata team to present their findings through podcasts, digital exhibits, or multimedia projects.
This integrated approach allows students to see the research process from multiple perspectives — discovery, analysis, and creation — building stronger critical thinking and communication skills along the way.
Ready to Plan Your Session?
Whether your students need to analyze historical documents, design a podcast, or sharpen their research strategies, the library has an instruction option to match. We’d love to collaborate with you this semester to give your students the tools, skills, and experiences they need to thrive.
