Research Education at Hope College

The Research Education (library instruction) program at Hope College is designed to prepare students to be effective information seekers and users, both in general and in their disciplines. The General Education curriculum requires that all First Year Seminar and English 113 classes receive library instruction. Many other courses with research components can benefit from sessions – in the library, or another learning space – led by librarians. 

Key to the success of this program is librarians and classroom faculty collaborating on designing and guiding students through research projects. The most successful sessions are team taught, with both teaching faculty and librarian participating in the instruction.

In addition to class sessions, librarians meet with students at the reference desk, via e-mail and chat, and in individually scheduled appointments.

Research Education in English 113

As part of the process of learning to write an academic paper, students in English 113 classes spend several hours with a librarian. Ideally, the instruction is timed to coincide with the development of topics or other assignments on which students are working. Students in English 113 learn advanced search skills and are introduced to the wide variety of databases available. 

Research Education in Upper Level Classes

Although First Year Seminar and English 113 are required to include a research component, many other classes at Hope College include assignments that involve research. Faculty may request for a librarian to lead sessions on discipline-specific tools. The length of a librarian-led session is flexible; for some assignments, it is best if the class comes to the library, and for others, the librarian may visit the classroom and/or a computer lab outside the library. 

Scheduling Instruction with a Librarian

For scheduling a First Year Seminar library session, see the FYS library page  

English 113 sections are each assigned a librarian who will contact you before the semester begins.  

For other library sessions, you may contact any of the librarians directly: 

• Priscilla Atkins atkinsp@hope.edu (x7986)
• Rachel Bishop bishop@hope.edu (x7299)
• Jessica Hronchek hronchek@hope.edu (x7124)
• Dave O'Brien obriend@hope.edu (x7791)
• Todd Wiebe wiebe@hope.edu (x7286)

 

Rooms and Learning Spaces in the Library (reserve via the EMS system)

The Granberg Room – seats 27-30; has wireless, but only has one “teacher” computer and a projector. 

The Library Teaching Lab – seats 20; has eleven computers, one of which is connected to the projector. 

The North End of the First Floor – seats 15; has wireless, but no computers or projector. 

The Rare Book Room – seats 28-30; has wireless and one computer with projector.