Library faculty in Special Collections offer a variety of instruction formats including simple "show-and-tell" sessions, basic research orientations, and specialized sessions that incorporate course- or assignment-based resources and activities.

Our instruction philosophy centers on cultivating both undergraduate and graduate students' abilities to think critically and to contextualize, investigate and authenticate historical and cultural documents. Engagement with primary sources can embody the transformational educational experience identified by SDSU's Strategic Plan as vital to student success. Librarians work closely with teaching faculty to develop sessions that promote and encourage these outcomes.

Teaching Support

View our calendar of scheduled visits below. The calendar is intended for preliminary planning purposes only and does not guarantee availability, which must be confirmed with a SCUA librarian. To schedule a session or for more information, send a message to askscua [at] sdsu [dot] edu or call (619) 594-6791.

Instruction Calendar

Instruction Policies

• Our instruction schedule fills up quickly within the first few weeks of the semester. To avoid scheduling conflicts, please request instruction sessions as far in advance as possible and no less than two weeks prior to the class.

• Any documentation you can provide as to the nature of your needs, such as your course syllabus or assignment, enables us to more effectively select materials we think would be appropriate or relevant.

• Please provide a headcount at the time of your request. If your class is larger than 20 students, we may not be able to accommodate the entire group at the same time. If necessary, we can work with you to divide the class into two back-to-back sessions spanning one lecture period or two separate dates. You (the instructor) must plan to be present at all sessions in Special Collections. 

• If you plan to create an assignment using Special Collections materials, please contact us in advance at (619) 594-6791 to discuss details of the assignment and to confirm that materials are available to place on hold. When visiting the department, your students will need to bring a Red ID or other photo ID, register as researchers, and review our Researcher Guidelines.

• Instruction sessions frequently require the students to seek individual follow-up reference assistance. We will emphasize this point during the session, but it can be helpful if you remind them to plan ahead and request assistance well in advance of the assignment's due date.

• Please remind students that when they conduct research in Special Collections for an assignment, they are required to respectfully follow our security protocol and observe all departmental policies and procedures.

• We wish to fully include persons with disabilities in all activities. Please let us know if you require any special accommodations for students in your course.