You can find the services we offer at a distance via Zoom, Teams, and other internet-based methods on our remote services page.
Evening class instruction is available by request. To see if the RCC Library is closed on school holidays and semester breaks, please consult the Library Calendar.
857-701-1380
or via text at 857-877-2255
library1@rcc.mass.edu
1234 Columbus Avenue
Building 3, Room 211
Boston, MA 02120
When creating an assignment, remember to consider what objectives the course must address and tailor the assignment to fit those specific needs, such as:
When considering possible topics and research requirements, assess what resources will be available to your students:
When encouraging your students to use scholarly, well-evaluated resources, avoid generalizing, confusing language, such as:
Library instruction will help to strengthen your students' information literacy skills, teaching them to better understand how to access and evaluate the resources needed to successfully complete their coursework. The quality of research papers and presentations greatly improves when students come in for library instruction sessions.
Yes! What the students often don't realize is that each session is tailored to a specific course and course assignment. The library has many resources, and it would be impossible to introduce all of those resources in one session. Instead, we select specific resources that would be most helpful for their projects, so the instruction sessions will vary based on these selections. Additionally, to improve on their information literacy skills, students need to practice! The more they come in, the more confident they will become in their abilities to search for and evaluate information.
Please email whoever scheduled your session as soon as you realize that you will need to cancel. If you cannot remember who scheduled the session, email the general library account, library1@rcc.mass.edu. We ask that you give us at least 24-hours notice. The librarians spend a lot of time customizing the instruction session for each course and preparing to lead the class, so the sooner you can let us know, the better. Also, this will give us a chance to reschedule your session so that your students will not miss out on instruction.
Yes! We strongly encourage instructors to stay for the session, modeling engaged behavior for their students. If you do not attend, the students will assume that the session is not important and is merely busy work. They will not be as focused or as productive. Additionally, your presence is a helpful resource -- you can clarify any questions about the assignment or course expectations. Similarly, if you do not attend the session, you won't be able to address any follow-up questions in the classroom about accessing resources.
You should bring your students in when you think it works best within your class schedule and syllabus, but it is helpful for the students to already be aware of the assignment before they come in. Ideally, students should have their topics or areas of focus chosen before coming to the instruction session so that they can get started on their research.
For your students to be prepared, they should understand the assignment and know what their research topic is. They should also have a library barcode on the back of their student ID so that they can access the resources from off-campus or Check Out any books that they might find in their searching. Ask the students to come to the library for a library barcode before the library visit. Their student ID card must also be updated every semester in the Public Safety office on the first floor of Building 3.
You can schedule the session as early as possible, but please try to schedule it at least one week in advance. To schedule, email the liaison for your department. If you do not know your liaison, you can email library1@rcc.mass.edu. You can also stop in the library and ask to speak to one of the librarians who will coordinate a session for you.
The library instruction session will be held in the library classroom. The library is room 211 in Building 3. When you come into the library, turn right. Walk past the Circulation Desk and the computers and enter the door to the left of the printers.