The Buchanan Library supports instructors in teaching, course development, student learning, and research. Librarians and library staff can help you identify resources for your courses, provide research and information literacy instruction, work with students through embedded librarianship, locate teaching and learning resources, and connect you with materials from our collection and beyond.

Embedded Librarians

Embedded librarians work with instructors to integrate library research and information literacy support directly into courses and programs. This can include research guidance, help finding and evaluating sources, citation support, Canvas-based resources, and targeted instruction connected to course assignments.

Courses with significant research, writing, or information literacy components are particularly well suited to embedded librarian support. A librarian may be involved throughout a course or at key points, with support aligned to research assignments and student learning needs. Support can be customized to the needs of the course, program, instructor, and students.

Interested in embedded librarian support for your course or program? Email library.infodesk@lethpolytech.ca or stop by the Library Service Desk to discuss your needs.

Library Instruction

Librarians can work with you to provide instruction tailored to your course, assignments, and students. Sessions can introduce students to library research or focus on more advanced and discipline-specific research skills.

Instruction may include:

  • developing effective research strategies
  • finding scholarly and discipline-specific information
  • evaluating sources and information
  • using library databases and other research tools
  • citation and responsible use of information
  • research and information literacy skills connected to specific assignments

Library instruction can be offered as a standalone session or as part of ongoing embedded librarian support.

Teaching and Learning Resources

Librarians can help identify and use library resources to support courses, assignments, and curriculum development. This includes access to databases, scholarly journals, ebooks, streaming video, books, open educational resources (OER), and other teaching and learning materials.

We can also help instructors:

  • identify resources on topics connected to courses or programs
  • locate supplementary or alternative materials for course content
  • search for and evaluate OER and other openly available teaching resources
  • identify library-licensed resources that can be incorporated into courses
  • create stable links to articles, ebooks, videos, and other library resources for use in Canvas

Open Educational Resources

Open Educational Resources (OER) are freely accessible teaching and learning materials that can often be used, adapted, and shared.

Librarians can help instructors search for OER relevant to their courses, evaluate potential resources, and identify open materials alongside library-licensed and other teaching resources. We can also help you consider factors such as quality, accessibility, licensing, and suitability for your course or program.

Course Materials and Reserves

The library supports student access to course materials in several ways.

Course Reserves

Instructors can place high-demand or specialized materials on reserve for students. Reserve materials may include library-owned items, instructor-owned materials, or other appropriate resources.

Loan periods can be customized based on course needs and may include in-library use only, a few hours, several days, one week, or longer.

Borrow a Textbook

The library maintains a limited collection of selected course textbooks that students can borrow. Availability varies by course and title. Instructors are encouraged to let students know about the program when a relevant textbook is available.

Recommend Library Resources

The library purchases materials that support teaching, learning, programs, and the broader academic needs of Lethbridge Polytechnic.

Instructors are encouraged to recommend books and other resources for the library collection.

Interlibrary Loans

If the library does not have the material you need, we may be able to obtain it from another library through interlibrary loan.

Books, journal articles, and other materials can be requested through our interlibrary loan service.

Research Support

Librarians can also support faculty research. Depending on your research needs, we can help with:

  • developing and refining search strategies
  • identifying appropriate databases and research sources
  • accessing and using library databases and other licensed research resources
  • locating scholarly literature
  • conducting advanced or discipline-specific searches
  • identifying resources and tools that support the research process

Borrowing and Access

Faculty can borrow books and other library materials and access services available through the Library Service Desk. Staff can also assist with Scantron materials and general questions about accessing library resources and services.

The Alberta Library Card

The Alberta Library (TAL) Card provides Lethbridge Polytechnic faculty with borrowing privileges at participating academic and public libraries across Alberta.

Visit the Library Service Desk to obtain a TAL Card.

Contact the Library

Not sure which service you need or want to discuss how the library can support your teaching, course development, or research? Email buchanan.library@lethpolytech.ca or stop by the Library Service Desk to talk with library staff.