Building Connections with Graduate Students Through Credit-Bearing Instruction

Abstract

Graduate students often need support with research skills and other professional development that is under-recognized
by their programs. Librarians play a key role in helping students fill in these gaps. This case study reviews student
feedback on a librarian-developed and -delivered credit-bearing course. The course, Library Research and Scholarly
Communication Fundamentals, is offered to graduate students across all disciplines. The curriculum is flexible and
applicable to each student’s research, covering topics such as researching literature, citation and data management,
and publishing in scholarly journals. The course has generated positive and constructive feedback from students,
encompassing themes of self-efficacy, improved research skills, and increased confidence with scholarly publishing.
The delivery of the course has been an effective and rewarding avenue for librarians to connect with graduate students
and strengthen students’ ongoing relationships with library services and resources