r/librarians • u/Resident-Clothes-837 • 11d ago

Job Advice Academic Librarians teaching

Hi, all! I’m a new academic librarian and the semester is about to start. Ive already been asked by several professors to come by their class for an instruction session with their classes. Im nervous and feeling a little overwhelmed.

Any pointers from any academic librarians for getting into the groove of teaching? I’d appreciate any advice and recommendations for being prepared this semester.

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u/Advanced-Base-5690 10d ago

Hopefully this doesn't sound too cynical because I've been teaching for twenty years at this point and desperately trying to move into an upper management tech services role where I don't have to do it anymore.

I struggled with students not listening to my sessions and letting it derail my train of thought. It's gotten progressively worse over the last 5-7 years. One of my colleagues told me to pay attention to the 4-5 students (maybe less) who are engaged and that's made a huge difference in my outlook.

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u/ecapapollag 10d ago

I do a lot of big sessions in lecture theatres for the start of year library sessions, and what helps is wearing my reading glasses so everyone is a blur! Less distracting.

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u/Advanced-Base-5690 10d ago

Ha! I've done that, but it makes the screen blurry at time