Certificate Description

Libraries are always changing. Whether it is updating online collections, providing a new service, or connecting people with information in new ways, change is a constant. Librarians provide specialized expertise in scholarly communications, data management, subject specific research support, and more. For faculty and instructors, keeping up with the libraries is not just beneficial for your research, but for your teaching as well. Introducing students to the tools offered by the library can improve their scholarly output and often save them money. Instructors and teaching assistants new to the university, and those who have been here for years, need to stay abreast of how the library can complement your courses.

The Teaching with the Library certificate of completion is designed for instructors seeking to enhance their teaching through effective utilization of library resources and services. This certificate equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to incorporate library collections into course curriculum, improve research learning outcomes, streamline course readings in Blackboard, and support textbook affordability through a deeper understanding of the publishing landscape.

Program Requirements

Faculty, instructors, and teaching graduate assistants who participate in four (4) or more sessions will earn a certificate of completion. This includes 2 required sessions and 2 electives chosen by the participant (see below). Sessions are 50-75 minutes and may be offered in-person or online, depending on content. Sessions are to be completed in 3 consecutive semesters.

Eligibility

Open to faculty (tenured, tenure-track, professional track, and adjunct faculty) and GTAs on the USC Columbia Campus.

Required Workshops Offered Fall 2024

Expand allSEPT 12  — Libraries, Course Materials, & You

Thursday, September 12, 10:05am - 11:20am - In-Person

In this introductory workshop, participants will learn how publishing models affect students’ abilities to access affordable course materials and how libraries can acquire learning resources for the classroom. Workshop facilitators will demonstrate how to use the library to provide affordable and equitable access to course materials through e-reserves, purchasing, video streaming, and open educational resources.  Register

OCT 22 — Improving Research Learning Outcomes With the Library

Tuesday, October 22, 8:30am - 9:45am - In-Person

Learn to question your assumptions about what students know and explicitly identify the knowledge and skills you want them to acquire when completing library research assignments. [In this session, participants will explore common challenges students face when conducting library research and identify best practices for designing assignments that require or encourage the use of library resources. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about ways in which faculty can partner with librarians to support student success. By creating research assignments with specific learning outcomes that are clear to your students, you can improve the experience for everyone involved.  Register

Elective Workshops Offered Fall 2024

Expand allSEPT 25 — Copyright in the Classroom

Wednesday, September 25, 1:10pm - 2:00pm - Webinar

You'll feel more comfortable in the classroom when you understand how copyright applies to course materials. Come explore how to use freely available, licensed, and copyrighted materials in instruction and on Blackboard. We’ll discuss the practical applications of fair use and other exceptions and limitations. Finally, we’ll examine how the library can assist you with posting materials for your class.  Register

OCT 23 — Managing Digital Projects in the Classroom

Wednesday, October 23, 10:50am - 11:40am - In-Person

Introduce your students to the integrative environment of digital projects without overwhelming yourself. A digital project assignment can be a web site, database, podcast, or any multimedia platform. This type of assignment can draw students into the class but can be cumbersome for the teacher. Drawing on faculty experiences and twenty years of managing USC Libraries’ Digital Collections, this presentation will help you understand how to set up and manage such an assignment so that you can all enjoy learning and collaborating and not lose sight of the main topic. Learn about the Libraries services so you can take full advantage of them. If this talk piques your interest, the Library offers in depth online, workshops on many of the tools mentioned in this overview.  Register

How to Earn a Certificate of Completion

1. Select a certificate you want to earn.
2. Review the required workshops.
3. Register for and attend all required workshops within the time frame specified.
4. Look for an email from [email protected] with your digital certificate.

How to Check Your Progress

Participants can check their progress online by following the steps below. 

1. Log into Registration and Tracking System for Workshops and Events using your CTE Training Account credentials.
2. Click on the specific learning plan for the certificate of completion program you would like to view.  The learning plan button is located on the left-hand side in the menu screen.
3. Click “View” to generate a personalized learning plan status report. The report will show the workshops you have taken, and remaining workshop requirements.

The learning plans also provide a status progress update. 

• Partial means you have met some of the requirements for a specific certificate of completion program.
• Complete means you have met all the requirements for a specific certificate of completion program.
• Not Started means you have not completed any of the requirements for a specific certificate of completion program.

Completed your certificate?

At the conclusion of each semester, reports are run to determine who has completed each certificate. Digital Certificates will be emailed. If you do not receive your certificate by the middle of the following semester, kindly contact [email protected] for assistance.