The Libraries – FIG Program
In the past FIGs were paired up with a librarian liaison to provide information about the libraries, doing research or conducting tours for your FIG students. However, because most first-year students enrolled in FIGs are now also required to take Signature Courses (UGS 302/303), we are no longer assigning librarian liaisons to FIGs. This is because Library Instruction Services works closely with the Signature Course program and its faculty; scheduling time for us to work with FIGs and with UGS means that we may end up teaching your students twice in one semester.
For Fall 2009 Natural Science and Engineering FIGs will still be assigned a liaison librarian because those students are not yet required to take a Signature Course. If you are a Natural Sciences or Engineering FIG mentor or facilitator and haven’t been contacted by your librarian liaison, email Cindy Fisher (cynthfisher@austin.utexas.edu) to be put in touch with the librarian for your FIG.
How can you involve the Libraries in your FIG?
Plagiarism Training
One of the most important things that students often encounter in their very first semester is the idea of scholastic dishonesty and plagiarism. Library Instruction Services has put together an activity that you and your students can do that explains some of the intricacies of plagiarism and how it can be avoided. See the box to the right for a link to this training PDF.
If this subject matter seems overwhelming or you feel unprepared to engage in a discussion about such a serious topic, you can review short, interactive video tutorials created by the Libraries that explain plagiarism and citing sources to get more familiar with the content. See the box to the right for links to those tutorials.
Tours of the Libraries
If you would like your students to take a tour of one of the libraries that relates to the content of your FIG, contact us
at lib-instruction@utlists.utexas.edu and we’ll forward your request to the appropriate person. Make sure you let us know which library you’d like to tour!
Research Help
If over the course of the semester you notice that your students are struggling with content for a Signature Course (UGS 302/303), get in touch with us. We may already be working with the faculty member for that course and can follow up with that faculty member to see if we can help, either by providing a research session for that course or in another way. You can contact us at lib-instruction@utlists.utexas.edu.
Questions?
If you are still feeling unsure of how the Libraries can help you and your FIG or if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. You can contact us at lib-instruction@utlists.utexas.edu.
