Library Instruction
Guidelines for Area Teachers and other Off-Campus Groups
Missouri Southern State University

The following guidelines have been developed in an effort to provide the best service possible to Off-Campus Groups.

A. Scheduling
1. Advance notice is required to schedule any type of library instruction, please contact the Reference & Instruction Librarian, Nancy Schiavone, or the Reference & Serials Librarian, Robert Black.

2. Off-Campus Groups are limited to one three hour session per day. (e.g. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. or 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.).

3. No Off-Campus Groups will be scheduled the week prior to, or the week of, final exams each semester.

B. Involvement
1. Teacher/Adult involvement and supervision is required for Off-Campus Groups.

2. Please plan for the teacher and at least one other adult (if more than 10 students), to be present while the group (maximum 25 students) visits the library.

3. Teachers must help plan the content of the library sessions with the librarians and provide specific topics relating to the students' research.

4. Follow-up class activities relating to the library instruction will reinforce skills and add value to the instruction.

C. Library cards
1. Groups wishing to obtain individual library cards, must complete applications prior to the date of instruction in order to check out the day of their library visit. Users must have a valid card to borrow materials. Applications will be mailed at the teacher's request.

2. To obtain a library card, children under the age of 16 must have a parent's signature. Current identification, preferably a photo I.D., is required for anyone 16 or older.

3. Cost - $10, with the following exception: K-12 students - $5.00.

D. Loan Periods and Fines
1. Loan periods
a. books and AV materials - 4 weeks
b. Reference books do not circulate

2. Fines - $0.10 per day per item, maximum fine is $12.00 per item

E. Information we will need includes:
Teacher's Name:

School or Group Name:

Phone number:

E-mail:

Class subject area:

Number of students attending: (Maximum 25 per session)

Number of adults attending:

Potential dates and times for library session:

  1.

  2.

  3.

Specific needs or resources to be addressed:

Description and/or copy of the research or writing assignment the students will be working on, if any: