Library Instruction 

Is Journal Peer-Reviewed?

Structure of Typical Research Article

If You Need This Type of Primary Source ... Then Do This

Distinguishing Scholarly Journals from Other Periodicals

 Research consultations for students & faculty

As schedules permit, librarians are available for in-depth research consultations related to student course work and faculty research projects. To find out which librarian has expertise in your subject area, check the list of Librarian Subject Areas. You can schedule an appointment by contacting a librarian directly.

Course-integrated instruction

Cal State Monterey Bay librarians provide course-integrated instruction as well as input on information literacy related course content such as research assignments. If you would like to request a librarian instruction session or course consultation, please contact the librarian specialist for your academic program. Please note that we request at least two weeks advance notice for scheduling in-class instruction.

The Cal State Monterey Bay library prioritizes information literacy instruction in the following type of courses:

• GE Area 1A (English Composition)
• GE Area 1C (Oral Communication)
• Proseminar courses (e.g. HCOM 300)
• Graduate Writing Assessment (GWAR) courses
• Capstone courses
• We are usually able to support research intensive undergraduate courses that don’t fall into the above areas (i.e. courses that have assignments where students must find and use sources beyond assigned course materials) 
• Additionally, we are usually available to meet with graduate courses where students are engaged in research 

Through the above model, librarians support student learning at a foundational, first year level in GE 1A and 1C courses, which both require extensive use of sources for course projects. Librarians support students in their introduction to research in their major via Proseminar and GWAR courses. As part of students’ culminating experience at Cal State Monterey Bay, research support is provided by librarians for student capstone projects across most of Cal State Monterey Bay’s majors.

Cal State Monterey Bay information literacy instructional resources

Instructors can recommend or require that students complete the Introduction to the CSUMB Library mini-course. This mini-course is designed to help familiarize students with key library services like course reserves and ways of asking for research help and is best suited for first year students. 

This course is available in Canvas via clicking on the following link: Enroll in Introduction to the CSUMB Library. It is stand-alone and self-paced, and at the end, students receive a certificate of completion that they can provide as evidence to their instructors that they've taken the course. It covers the basics of accessing the library's electronic collections and services, including using our Ask a Librarian service for help with using the library and conducting research. It takes about 35 minutes to complete.

The library also offers linked lists of information literacy-focused videos and activities created by various academic libraries that course instructors can use to help students learn library research skills. We also have a YouTube channel.

What is information literacy?

Briefly stated information literacy includes the ability to:

• Identify information needs;

• Locate, critically evaluate, and synthesize information; and

• Apply ethical and legal considerations in using information

Information literacy at Cal State Monterey Bay

The Cal State Monterey Bay library’s instruction program is developed around the needs of our student population. The instruction program emphasizes the preparation of students who will become engaged members of society--personally, professionally and as global citizens. 

We are committed to delivering information literacy instruction via both in-class instruction and digital learning objects that can be utilized asynchronously. The information literacy curriculum is aligned with our university’s learning outcomes-based approach and meets the needs of a diverse student population with differing modes of learning, and educational and cultural backgrounds.

We recognize that pedagogy is a dynamic process and the library instruction program must be open to new ideas. The goal of the Cal State Monterey Bay instruction program is to enable our students to acquire lifelong learning skills and self-sufficiency in the varied ways in which they engage with information throughout their lives.

(Revised 2026)