Guide for High School Teachers Booking Library Visits

York University Libraries can accommodate visits of groups of high school students. However, we urge high school teachers to contact us two weeks ahead of time to work out logistical issues. Depending on the time of the year, we may be able to arrange an orientation to library research, or even a more detailed assignment-based research workshop for your students.

How can Information Literacy help your students?

Things you need to know

Preparing for your visit

Guidelines for Booking your Visit

Suggestions for making library instruction work

Who to Contact for a Library Class

Who to Contact for a Campus Tour

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How can Information Literacy help your students?

University course instructors demand that their students learn to write actively and think critically when it comes time to compose their research papers.

Developing the skills necessary to access a broad range of viewpoints on the important issues covered in university courses is essential for new university students. Scholarly material not necessarily assigned for the classroom can serve as a foundation upon which students build independent, yet credible and defensible viewpoints.

Students who have the benefit of attending a library instruction workshop are better equipped to attain higher grades and, more importantly, engage themselves as active learners in the courses they are taking. Because there is a direct relationship between the quality of the material students consult during the research process, and the quality of the papers that they ultimately write, it is easy to see why solid library research skills are just as important as solid writing skills.

Things you need to know

  • Your students will not be able to use most library computers to search for books or journal articles UNLESS we have arranged for guest passwords in advance of your visit. When you book the visit for you class, you will need to arrange for passwords so that your students will be able to make productive use of their time in the Libraries.
  • Your students can only use our print collection and electronic resources within the Libraries. Your students will not have borrowing privileges or off-campus access to our electronic resources.
  • Some of our electronic resources have limits to number of users per session.
  • Printing and photocopying require a York University Libraries print/photocopy card, which can be purchased from machines in the Libraries. Printing and photocopying cost 10 cents per page.
  • Supervision of high school students is the responsibility of the accompanying teacher(s).
  • Follow these links for more information about York University Libraries and Hours of operation.

Preparing for your visit

Before visiting, please consider directing your students to our Library Research Road Map, which is a useful tutorial designed to guide students through basic steps of doing bibliographic research. You might also encourage your students to search the York University Libraries online catalogue beforehand.

For an alternative to library instruction workshops, visit our Library Tutorials and Research Guides page which has some useful links to tutorials and guides on finding scholarly materials, newspapers, etc.

Guidelines for Booking your Visit

Please read the following guidelines before arranging a group visit:

  • High school Group visits from high schools should be arranged at least two weeks in advance.
  • Library workshops can be offered as short orientations to library resources or as assignment-based research workshops.
  • Assignment-based workshops can be accommodated if the students have an assignment that requires academic resources, as these sessions are tailored to meet the needs of assignments. These assignment-based workshops will also allow students to do their own literature searches after the session to get the most out of their library visit.
  • We have instruction rooms that can accommodate about 30 students each (50 students each if students pair up at each computer) for a hands-on learning experience.
  • To arrange a tour of the Law Library, high school groups should please fill out the Osgoode LibraryTour Request Form
  • All visitors are required to abide by the Libraries Rules of the House.

Suggestions for making library instruction work

If you have requested an assignment-based workshop for your students, please consult with the librarian assigned to your class at least a week in advance of your visit to discuss the details of the assignment. It is our intention to make your students’ visit to York University Libraries a positive experience.

If you need help designing an assignment that will benefit your students, consult with our Information Literacy Program Coordinator for more information or visit our assignments page for additional ideas.

Please ensure that your students are clear about their assignment requirements and if possible, let them do some preliminary research before attending the library instruction session by searching their school library’s resources.

Who to Contact for a Library Class

  • Scott Library – For classes relating to the social sciences or humanities
    • Please note: The Scott Library can accommodate a maximum of 10 high school requests each year. Five sessions are reserved for local high schools in the Jane/Finch area (the Westview/Emery/Jefferys Family of Schools). The remaining five are available to other schools on a first-come first-served basis. The Scott Library is generally unable to provide this instruction during peak times between September-November and January-March.
    • The Scott Library may not be able to accommodate visits during the peak times of the academic year when the Libraries are busiest with York students. September-November and January-April are the busiest times of the academic year; December and May-August are less busy.
  • Frost Library – For classes relating to the social sciences or humanities
  • Steacie Science and Engineering Library – For classes relating to the sciences and health
  • If you would like library instruction on topics in other areas (e.g. business, law, music, etc.) please refer to the relevant library contact.

Who to Contact for a Campus Tour

We also encourage you to combine your library visit with a York University campus tour and information session. Not only are tours a great way to get to know the University, but students can meet with current York students, ask questions and explore what it means to attend university. If you are interested in visiting the Glendon College campus, contact Dave at 416-736-2100 ext. 88188 or follow the link for more information on Glendon tours, appointments and information packages.