ADA University Library

Document No. LPPR118
Created: 01.09.18
Last modified: 05.05.2025

Introduction: Research and Instructional Service Structure

As an integral part of the research and instructional program of ADA University the Library Research and Instructional Services Unit (RIS) provides research assistance and instructional services to ADA community to facilitate the development of an information literate community and promote Information Literacy Competency Standards of Higher Education developed by the Association of College and Research Libraries. In general, RIS serves in three main directions:

Reference and Research Assistance Services
Instructional Services
Collection Development Support

Paragraph 1. Reference and Research Assistance Services

Patrons, who need assistance in finding resources for their research topic or reference questions can request an appointment with a reference (or research) librarian.

1. Reference Librarian
  1. Works with the users to diagnose the problem and provide advice / instructions if needed. Technical problems and diagnostic information are forwarded to the appropriate staff member;
  2. Assists users to become more information literate — individuals need to know when they require information, define the information need and formulate a plan for where and how to locate the information, also evaluate, use information effectively and in an ethical manner;
  3. Shows and explains how to use library search tool (Discovery Service, Open Access Catalog), journal databases (such as fulltext, bibliometric etc.), electronic books (e-library, institutional repository) and citation management tools (online/offline bibliographic tools);
  4. Guides on how to evaluate information. While the students are required to write a research paper and use academic resources reference librarian helps to assess the materials according to the certain evaluation criteria;
  5. Suggests strategies and resources from our collection of print and online reference sources to address students, faculty and staff’s research needs;
  6. Coordinates the development and publication of print and online support materials such as subject Research Guides;
  7. Provides research consultation for more in-depth research questions. Research consultations are available for ADA students, faculty and staff to assist them in finding print or electronic resources as well as instructions in use of library tools. Every individual research consultation can take from 15 minutes to 1 hour depending on request. Reference staff suggests how to approach a subject searching and helps to define research strategies and the types of resources that might be useful;
  8. Help the students to find citation style guides and explain how to cite references. Reference or research librarian is not responsible to provide feedback or corrections on assignments, such as checking and using citations.
1. Reference Desk
1. 1. Individual or small group consultations (online and on-campus) are available to faculty, students, alumni, staff and external library visitors of ADA University. Reference questions are answered at the “Reference Desk” on the 1st floor in the Library from 9:00 to 18:00 during the weekdays. This service is available for walk-up or scheduled appointments to assist patrons with research, information queries during business hours. Sometimes during business hours when the “Reference Desk” is unattended, patrons should feel free to approach the “Circulation Desk” located on the main floor entrance of the Library. In times of high demand, assistance at the reference desk is provided on a first-come, first-served basis when multiple users are awaiting support. If the inquiry is anticipated to require an extended duration, staff members may address other pending questions, provided that responses are concise and do not compromise the attention given to the initial inquiry. This order of service applies to both in-library and virtual inquiries.
  2. Virtual Reference Services accept requests and questions 24/7 via askalibrarian@ada.edu.az. All the requests received by email will be answered within 1-2 business days depending on the scope of the questions. For more in-depth research questions patrons can request a research consultation. Research consultations are available for ADA students, faculty and staff to assist them in finding print or electronic resources as well as instructions in use of library tools. Every individual research consultation can take from 15 minutes to 1 hour depending on the request. Reference staff suggest how to approach a subject search and helps to define research strategies and the types of resources that might be useful.
  3. Research consultation by appointment is recommended for upper-level undergraduates or graduate students in classes where their research projects are in-depth, specialized, and unique. Research consultation by appointment can also be particularly useful for faculty members who are stepping back into research or who are researching in a field that is new to them.

1. Research Guide - instructions, tutorials, online videos - Research and Instructional Services Unit is responsible for creating and maintaining tools for research self-help such as research guides and tutorials.
1. Tutorials: The library offers a series of short screencasts that demonstrate how to use various library services, databases, and research tools. There is also an interactive tutorial suite. Each of these tutorials can be completed in 15–45 minutes. The topics include evaluating resources, academic honesty, citing sources, finding books and articles, keeping current, using social media wisely, and using different publication types.

Paragraph 2. Instructional Services

ADA University Library's Information Literacy Program supports the teaching mission of the University by educating students for academic success and lifelong learning. Librarians work with faculty and program directors to promote information literacy for students in EAPP, undergraduate, and graduate programs.

1. Instruction sessions
  1. Focus on effective research strategies, effective use of online resources, and critical evaluation of sources
  2. Identify key concepts of a defined topic and develop appropriate keywords for research
  3. Introduce finding tools such as the Library Catalog, Research Databases and Internet search engines
  4. Identify information sources such as books, journals, Internet, and reference materials
  5. Evaluate sources critically to determine reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness, and point of view or bias
  6. Distinguish scholarly from non-scholarly sources
  7. Locate full-text documents in research databases or by using the Discovery Tool;
  8. Understand the components of a citation and introduce popular documentation styles

Instructional librarians impart necessary information literacy skills, encompassing the capacity to access, retrieve, analyze, evaluate, and apply information, while also emphasizing proper source documentation. These skills form a cornerstone for lifelong learning, contributing significantly to student success in academic pursuits and smooth transitions into the professional realm.

1. Instruction sessions format
  1. Library Tours and Orientations – New students, faculty and staff, library visitors (including outside users) RIS holds orientation sessions to introduce students, faculty and staff to the Library and librarians. This usually happens in the beginning of the semester. Moreover, it includes tours during the campus events as well as the fall and spring orientations. Formal orientation sessions are offered to new enrolled undergraduate, graduate and international students regarding the use of Library print and electronic collection as well as the other services offered by ADA University Library. Faculty members are encouraged to make arrangements to bring classes to the Library for orientation sessions. New Faculty members are encouraged to come by the Library to familiarize themselves with the resources that are available
  2. Introductory Sessions (online and on campus) for English for Academic Purposes Program (EAPP) EAPP/ Faculty may send small groups with language skill levels to the Library for initial exploration purposes as a part of the collaborative project with the Library. Each group consists 15-20 students with the level of English to interact in the session. EAPP program coordinator schedules the sessions with the Manager of Research and Instructional Services and arranges students’ attendance in these sessions. Group instructors should accompany their classes in the session.
1. 1. Course-Related Instruction sessions (Academic Writing and Information Literacy; Research methods and other courses) are offered as single or multiple classes and must be minimum of one forty-five minutes in length and can have a library tour if desired. Course-related instruction is available for all undergraduate and graduate courses. The librarian works closely with the instructor to design and deliver hands-on instruction with a focus on the required content and assignments of the specific course. Through the use of handouts, Web pages, demonstrations, exercises, and guided hands-on practice, IL Librarian instructs students on research strategies and focusing a topic, using the Library Catalog, using indexes, navigating electronic resources, finding specific types of information or publications, and evaluating information sources. These highly recommended, comprehensive sessions focus on equipping students with research and information literacy skills that will help them to complete successful assignments in a specific course or program. These library sessions are arranged by the faculty member/instructor through the IL Librarian.
2. Requesting Library Instruction General and specialized library instruction for university classes must be scheduled by instructors two weeks in advance through the Manager of Research and Instructional Services.
  1. Request To schedule an Information Literacy class and research appointment, use the “Instructional Request Form” and “Research Consultation Form” respectively.
  2. Assessment After receiving the request, RIS will work with you to plan the session and identify potential learning outcomes revolving around the assignment or project for which you will need to do research. While the librarian designing the class requests a copy of class syllabus and information about students' current assignment in order to prepare a focused, informative, and interesting presentation for the benefit of the students. The Manager of Research and Instructional Services sends a confirmation by e-mail when the class is scheduled for instruction.
  3. Reschedule: Date/time change in the instruction session, the Manager of Research and Instructional Services should be informed in advance.

Paragraph 3. Collection Development

In collaboration, Research and Instructional Services, Circulation Services and Technical Services, teams build the ADA University Library Collection based on curricular and research needs. RIS team requests purchase of items for both the Reference and General or Online collections.

Overall ADA University Library refers to IFLA electronic resources collection development policy and applies its own policy in particular cases.

Research and Instructional Services Policy

Paragraph 3. Collection Development