Community of Online Research Assignments

Short Description

In post-session feedback, first-year students frequently express anxiety over how to physically navigate the library to find a book on the shelf. This is a simple, pre-session activity to help students try this out before class, so that they can discuss with their librarian any challenges they faced in attempting to complete the task. With the help of the course instructor, students are asked to find a book on their research topic (or course topic) and bring it to class.

Learning Outcomes

  • Utilize the libraries online catalog to find a book suitable to chosen topic
  • Locate the specific book identified in the search in the stacks

Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips

  • Librarian will need to coordinate with instructor to ensure that the assignment is clearly communicated to students before class;
  • Participation, or assignment, credit helps as an incentive.

Suggested Citation

RIS Team, Duke University Libraries. "Finding a Book." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments). 2019. https://projectcora.org/lesson/finding-book