Subject liaisons

The following Brennan librarians liaise directly with their respective schools to provide subject-specific expertise:

Jill Shoemaker
617-243-2328
• Fashion
• HEJSS

Debbie Percher
617-243-2413
• Business
• Health Sciences

Adam Schutzman
617-243-2049
• Communication & Arts
• University Archives

Brennan Helps

The Brennan Helps webinar series explores the many ways we can help faculty members in and beyond the classroom. See the Brennan Helps homepage for recordings of past sessions and links to resources.

Information literacy

We offer library instruction in our information literacy lab on the top floor of Brennan Library, or in your classroom. We teach general and customized information literacy classes, and work with students on finding resources for their papers and projects.

At Brennan Library, we believe in the importance to create a space for students to explore and develop information literacy skills. An information literate student is a lifelong learner that is able to evaluate and use information ethically and effectively. We believe that it is necessary to foster these skills to be a successful professional in today's world.

Types of instruction available:

• Group instruction in teaching lab
• Drop-in individual instruction at reference desk
• Individual or group appointments for in depth instruction
• Virtual reference, including email and live chat

To request a library instruction session, please email Jill Shoemaker, Head of Instruction and Research Services.

Faculty guidelines for requesting instruction

See also the library instruction policy.

When to schedule:

• How far in advance: In order to allow us time to fully prepare, please try to schedule the class at least three business days before the date you would like to bring your class. Certain times in the semester are particularly busy; therefore it is a good idea to have more than one date in mind.
• When during the semester: Scheduling the library instruction in conjunction with a research assignment will provide context for students and is a critical for student motivation and learning.

Faculty involvement:

• Course professor presence: In order to provide the most effective library instruction, we highly recommend the course instructor be present with their class. This emphasizes the importance and value of the research process to students and enables students to ask questions not only about the research process but also about their assignment.
• Course professor / librarian consultation: To ensure that the library instruction meets the needs of the class, the course professor should provide relevant course material such as the syllabus, course assignment and student topics to the librarian as well as communicate their student learning outcomes.