With options such as interlibrary loans, library catalogs, universal borrowing and electronic databases, the Karrmann Library can be an intimidating place for students, and even more so to those who are not familiar with the resources available within and how to use them. That is why the library staff is offering free research sessions to all interested UW-Platteville students and faculty members in the hopes of making it more comforting and easier to navigate.

“These research sessions teach students how to use the library catalog, navigate the 150 electronic databases available, request items through universal borrowing, and place an interlibrary loan request,” said John-Leonard Berg, the coordinator of public services for the Karmann Library, and the presenter of these sessions.
Berg also added that the strategies taught in these sessions are hopefully life long.

“We hope these sessions will provide tools to enable students, and hope that they come in with what they know and then learn some things they didn’t know,” said Zora Sampson, director of the university libraries.

“We have a great staff who is here to help students by providing the answers they are looking for,” Sampson said. “We look forward to meeting students and getting to know them.”

Since the Karmann Library is currently understaffed, the sessions have been scheduled in one-hour increments in the Lundeen Lecture Hall. The sessions are offered at various times of the day to allow better access for students and faculty. Seating is limited to the first 200 students per session, and the attendance thus far has varied, but has been satisfactory.

To brush up on your skills and learn new ones, catch one of these research sessions: 4 p.m. on Feb. 25; 10 a.m. on Monday, March 29; 4, 5 or 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30; or at 8 or 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 31. For updates, keep an eye on the UW-P homepage intercom, or stop by the reference desk in the library for any additional help.