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High School Students Visits

The University Libraries invite area high school teachers and librarians to investigate possibilities for student instruction and research in any of these libraries to enhance students' skills and understanding of library research.

In an effort to combine our mission of serving UB students and faculty with the instructional mission of area schools, we welcome requests that are in keeping with the guidelines below.

Individual Student Visits

The University Libraries are open to the public, and area high school students are free to visit to use the print and online collections during all open hours. In order to access electronic resources in any of the UB Libraries, students will need to apply for a Library Research Station Access Card* at any library Circulation Desk by presenting current photo identification. Reference librarians are available in all library locations to help students with their research and to help them determine the best resources. See our Reference hours and Ask a Librarian pages for more information.

Group Visits

Classes of junior- or senior-level students working on projects or assignments requiring UB Libraries' resources are also welcome to visit the Libraries for an instructional session where a librarian will provide an overview of resources. These sessions are scheduled as staff and time permit, following the guidelines below. After reading the guidelines, feel free to contact us directly for more information on high school visits to UB Libraries -OR- submit a request to schedule a group visit using our online request form.

Campus tours may be requested separately or as part of a library visit, and are sometimes more appropriate for students. Please fill out the UB Office of Admissions form to arrange a campus tour or call them toll-free at 1-888-UB-ADMIT. Please contact Nicole Thomas at the Lockwood Library to schedule a library tour for high school students.

***Visitors must be aware of UB’s Child Protection Policy and must fill out the form titled: Acknowledgement of UB’s Child Protection Requirements. This form must be returned to the UB employee coordinating the visit prior to your arrival on campus.

Group Size

Group size is limited to a maximum of 24 students to allow hands-on instruction. Groups must be accompanied by at least one adult (teacher or librarian) to supervise the group during the visit.

Scheduling

  • When/Who - The teacher or librarian should contact us at least four weeks in advance. Visits are scheduled during less busy times of the semester, usually when classes are not in session (i.e. UB semester breaks) and resources are more available. See the UB Academic Calendar when determining possible dates.
  • How - Please use the Libraries' online request form to schedule a high school class visit. Please be sure to provide details of the assignment or project.
  • Where - Instruction will take place in a hands-on computer classroom in the Libraries. The room can be made available after the class for students to continue their research. If the students will remain in the Libraries to use the public computers, they must be supervised and must request Library Research Station Access Card from the Libraries in advance.
  • Student Preparation Before the Visit
    • Library Catalog: Students should come with a basic knowledge of how to locate books and other materials using a library catalog.
    • Databases and Journals: Students should understand the basic definitions of popular magazines, scholarly journals and indexes (or online databases). **Also, students will need a Library Research Station Access Card to gain access to the library databases outside of the classroom. The card can be obtained at any UB library circulation desk with photo identification.
    • Assignment or Project Details: Students should be familiar with the assignment and their research goals for the visit. If the assignment entails researching and writing a paper, students should know their topics and, if possible, have performed some preliminary research or located some background information.

Important Library & Campus Information for High School Visitors

Research Links: