Alfred University Libraries are excited to share our newest LibGuide: AI Literacy
Librarians across the United States are on the front lines of figuring out what AI means for research, and the Alfred University Libraries are no different. We are excited to share our newest LibGuide: AI Literacy.
This guide is meant to complement the recently developed Alfred Univesity Teaching and Learning Center AI webpage by offering a dynamic set of definitions for AI terminology; guidance on use of Generative AI for research; ethical considerations for using AI in research including privacy, bias, environmental impact, and copyright concerns; guidance for evaluating AI powered research tools; as well as an overview of research tools in the libraries that utilize AI.
This LibGuide also provides an example of how Alfred University Librarians can support faculty, staff, and students in their teaching and learning. Faculty who would like a librarian to come to your class to talk about AI, please reach out to your library liaison or email us at Alfred University Libraries. Students who would like to schedule a reference consultation can reach out to their Personal Librarian directly or to Alfred University Libraries.
How Faculty can use Library Course Reserves to enhance students’ access to learning materials
What are Course Reserves? The Alfred University Libraries’ Course Reserves service allows instructors to set aside books, DVDs, or other materials related to a current course for in-library use, to be shared by students. Course Reserve lists typically include required and recommended reading for a course, but can consist of other items related to your course. Items will remain on reserve during the semester the course is running.
Why place items on Course Reserve in the Libraries? This service enables students to share materials, thereby improving access to items that may be expensive or difficult to obtain. Students have expressed appreciation for having required reading placed on course reserve, as this can create substantial cost savings for them. Because AU Libraries are open 7 days a week during the academic year, placing items on course reserves increases access to shared-use items. Items are accounted for. Even though the items are used within the library space, students still check them out. This allows us to obtain usage statistics and ensure the return and continued availability of the items.
What can be placed on Course Reserve in the Libraries? Library-owned materials such as books, DVDs, or other media in our collection. Instructor-owned materials. (Your items are returned at the end of the semester/year). Copies of textbooks are very popular! Non-traditional items like shared equipment or small supplies are needed for a course and are a good match for storing in a library. Previous examples have included plug-and-play keyboards, graphing calculators, and small tool kits for group projects.
How can faculty submit a Course Reserve request? In Person Visit Herrick or Scholes Library and select the items from the shelf that you would like to place on Course Reserve. Or bring in your own materials/books. Ask at the service desk for a Reserve Request form and complete the item and course information. Plan to allow up to 5 business days for processing items that you request to be placed on reserve before they will be available to students.
Online Complete the online Course Reserve form found on our website at: https://libraries.alfred.edu/reserves/faculty-info The form will request: o Name of the course o Course number and section number o List of item call numbers or permalinks to the library items through our online catalog, Primo.
Please allow up to 5 business days for processing before the items will be available to students. Faculty, if you have placed library materials on course reserves in previous semesters, please check in with library staff to confirm if the items are still on course reserve, or notify library staff if items you have previously placed on course reserve are no longer needed.
Do Alfred University Libraries have an Electronic Reserve Service? Alfred University Libraries do not currently operate an electronic course reserve service. The best way to make electronic materials available to your students is through your courses’ Canvas page. For information on linking library materials in Canvas, contact your liaison librarian or email libraries@alfred.edu
