First-Year Foundations

Welcome!

This is your guide for your First-Year Foundations library instruction session. Here you'll find the links you need to follow along with the session. 

The Lorekeeper's Trial, part 1

Description: 

In this collaborative, fantasy game-themed library session, students become adventurers on a quest for knowledge, guided by the university’s Lorekeeper (the librarian).  

 In teams 2-4, students investigate a research question using different source types and tools. Each student adopts a character class—Ranger, Cleric, Rogue, or Wizard—corresponding to a specific research task that supports their team’s mission. 

 Work together as  a party (group) on your quest! But each student will submit their own Quest Log.      

Begin Your Quest!

Complete the following steps: 

1. Assemble your party (2-4 students per party)
2. Decide on your role
   • Note: If your party has fewer than 4 students, some students will have to assume more than one role to complete.)
3. (Optional step) Come up with a name for your party
4. Discuss this question with your party: “What information and skills will you need from the librarian to complete this quest?”  
   • Come up with an answer and decide who in your party will give your response to the class discussion. 

Character Roles

Ranger: The Book Hunter 

Task: Brave the book stacks to locate a physical book relevant to your team’s research question.  

Skilled at navigating terrain and tracking lost knowledge, the Ranger hunts for wisdom hidden in the library’s shelves. 

Tips for Your Quest: 

• Use the library catalog to search by keyword, title, or author. 
• Note the call number and head to the correct section of the stacks. [maybe set time limit or else just have them cite extra info from OPAC] 
• Take a picture or bring the book back to the library classroom.  

Cleric: Misinformation Healer 

Task: Find a credible news article related to your team’s research question.    

Wise and discerning, the Cleric protects the party from misinformation and helps separate fact from fiction. 

Tips for Your Quest: 

• Use Google, a library database (e.g., Newspaper Source), or another search tool to find a news article on your topic. 
• Apply the SIFT method and use a news rating tool (e.g., MediaBiasFactCheck) to evaluate the source’s credibility. 
• Be prepared to explain why the source is trustworthy. 

Rogue: Information Sleuth  

Task: Locate peer-reviewed journal articles on your team’s topic.  

Clever and well-connected in scholarly circles, the Rogue knows how to sneak into the vaults of academic research. 

Tips for Your Quest: 

• Use Start Your Search or other library databases to find 3 peer-reviewed articles on your topic.  
• Use keywords or subject terms identified by your Wizard and apply filters to limit scholarly or peer-reviewed journal articles.  
• Use the information in the articles’ titles and abstracts to ensure they are all highly relevant to your topic.  

Wizard: Conjuror of Knowledge 

Task: Use AI tools to help the team brainstorm keywords, refine the research question, or suggest resources.   

The Wizard calls upon powerful arcane tools (AI) to conjure up knowledge, strategy, and clarity. 

Tips for Your Quest: 

• Use PantherAI (using ChatGPT, Claude, or another AI tool) to get ideas and search terms. 
• Ask AI for ways to narrow, broaden, or refine your question. 
• Help teammates improve their searches by sharing AI insights. 

Discussion with your party: 

Ask yourselves: “What information and skills will you need from the librarian to complete this quest?” 

The Lorekeeper's Trial, part 1

To find your research question, you must roll the 10-sided die: 

Once you have your number, your Lorekeeper (librarian) will assign your research topic. 

Complete your quest and submit your Quest Log!

Submit your Quest Log!

Each student must complete the quest log to describe their experience.