High Schools - Request an Instruction Session (Class or Group)

McMaster University Libraries welcome visits from local secondary school students in Grade 12 only.
A maximum of 40 students at Mills and 25 students at Innis, Thode and Health Sciences Libraries can be accommodated at a single session.
The teacher(s) and/or high school librarian must accompany and remain with the group.

Students will be introduced to learning and research resources in a large academic library.
Students will learn how to identify and locate useful books in the Library Catalogue and research articles in article databases.
Students will have the opportunity to work on a research related school assignment.

Ensure that students have well-defined topics.
Ensure that students have done some preliminary research in their school and public libraries before arriving at the University Library.
Submit the assignment and/or class topics to the Instruction Librarian at least two weeks before the session.
Accompany and remain with the students and be prepared to assist them with their research needs.
Remind students that the University Libraries are areas for quiet study and research and that all visitors must conduct themselves appropriately.
Advise students driving to campus that they should allow at least 20 minutes from the time of arrival at campus for parking and walking to the library.
Consider showing students other areas of the University by arranging a campus tour through the Student Liaison Office or contacting the appropriate campus department to attend a university class.

Instructors: librarians from the reference departments of each library
Times available: sessions begin between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday to Friday
Duration: 30-50 minutes
Content: use of McMaster's online catalogue and selected indexes. Sessions at Innis may also include use of key business reference products.
Availability: one session per week is available for Grade 12 students; exceptions can be made for two or more classes bussed together from the same school. No sessions are offered during September and the examination periods in December and April.
Mills (Humanities & Social Sciences): all sessions are given in the Wong E-Classroom (L107); 20 computer stations are available for hands-on instruction. A brief tour follows the session (optional).
Innis (Business): sessions are typically held in the Reference Area and include a brief tour. With extra lead time, in-lab sessions can sometimes be arranged.
Thode (Science & Engineering): all sessions are held in the Thode Conference Room (TL307). No tours are offered.
Health Sciences: because of space limitations, high school sessions are not offered during the busy periods of term. High school classes can be accommodated between mid-November and the Christmas holiday and from mid-April until the end of June annually.

Sessions should be arranged by the high school librarian. If the teacher prefers to book the session, he/she should inform the school librarian to ensure that all potential library resources in the high school have been consulted.
Sessions must be booked at least two weeks in advance.

At Mills, contact Catherine Baird.	At Thode, contact Regina Bendig.
At Innis, contact Jeannie An.	At Health Sciences, contact Tom Flemming.

Students may use the resources of the University Library, but are ineligible to borrow materials or access the Internet and most online resources; licensing restrictions limit electronic access to McMaster faculty, currently registered students and staff.
All photocopiers require a Library Debit Card. Self-serve card dispensers are available in all the libraries; denominations from $1-$20 are accepted. Change is not provided in the libraries.
Students are expected to abide by the University Library’s Policy on Food and Beverages. The policy is also posted at the entrances to the libraries.
Parking on campus is costly. Visit Parking & Transit Services for more information. Students should consider car pooling or public transit to reduce costs.