Courses at the Library

The instruction belongs to the following themes

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

Do you want to become more effective in finding books and articles for your seminar thesis? Are you familiar enough with various databases and their search functions? Are you planning on using a reference management tool to save and organise your references? 

The Helsinki University Library offers courses that help you to develop information seeking and management skills for the requirements of learning and research.

The courses are offered both on campuses and online. The library publishes information on the upcoming courses on this page at the beginning of each semester. In addition to this, a few courses will be added to the course selection during the semester. Changes to schedules are possible.

On this page you can find mainly courses of which language of instruction is English. For the courses in Finnish or Swedish, please change the language of the page.

The Courses in the year 2022-2023

Online Courses

Student's Digital Skills: Information Seeking. Learning material. Further information.

Information Seeking and Management for Thesis Writers. Further information.

Webinars and on-campus courses

The Helka webinar. Timetable and registrationCourse description.

  • Wednesday 18 January 15.00-16.00 (Zoom)
  • Monday 23 January 15.00-16.00 (Zoom)

Information seeking basics. Timetable and registration. Course description. 

  • Friday 3 February 10.15-11.45 Kaisa House, Computer class 4060 (4th Floor)
  • Wednesday 8 February 14.15-15.45 (Zoom)
  • Wednesday 22 March 14.15-15.45 (Zoom)

Reference management: Zotero. Timetable and registration.  Course description.

  • Friday 17 February 10.15-11.45 Kaisa House, room 2024 (2nd Floor)
  • Wednesday 1 March 14.15-15.45 (Zoom)
  • Wednesday 29 March 10.15-11.45 (Zoom)

Advanced Courses

Courses for Doctoral Candidates

Information Management for Doctoral Candidates. Timetable. registration and course description in Sisu. You can find the course in Sisu by searching with the code LIB-900. 

Managing Scientific Information. Timetable. registration and course description in Sisu. You can find the course in Sisu by searching with the code Health-145. 

There are more courses in Finnish.

When should I take a course?

You should consider taking an information seeking course already prior to starting your thesis. When you are familiar with using databases and evaluating sources, you have better skills to search for academic information.  

How do I re­gister for the courses?

The students register for the courses mainly online via a form. You can see the times in the dropdown menu of the e-form under Ilmoittautuminen / Anmälning / Registration. 

The exceptions:  

Check "The Courses in the year 2021-2022" section for the course descriptions.

Will I get cred­its for the courses?

If you study at the University of Helsinki, please contact your degree programme to find out if you can have the course recognised as part of your studies. You’ll get certain degree programmes award a credit for completing this course or allow its inclusion in a study module. Before completing the course, check from your degree programme or seminar coordinator how the course can be included in your studies.

 

Guidance, Tips and Events on Information Seeking

Have you perhaps studied information seeking on a library course but still need more help? Book an appointment.

 In addition, the library offers information retrieval guidance and advice on library materials without prior registration.

The library also occasionally organises low-threshold activities to support your wellbeing and studies. For event dates and more information, please visit the Wellbeing events page.

Read tips how to find and manage information

 

Information seeking drop-in sessions

The information seeking drop-in sessions are short information sessions about different topics. After the short introduction, you’ll have an opportunity to ask a library specialist questions about information seeking. 

Do you need tips on information seeking? Are your sources lost or references messed up?  

Welcome to the information seeking drop-in sessions!

The short information seeking sessions will be held on Zoom on Mondays from 2pm to 2:15 pm from the 6th of February to the 24th of April 2023. On Monday the 10th of April information seeking drop-in session won't be arranged because of Easter. 

Information seeking drop-in sessions are held in Finnish and you do not need to register to them in advance. 

Information seeking drop-in sessions Zoom link

You can find the dates and topics of the Information seeking drop-in sessions on the Finnish version of “Courses at the library” – site.

Library tours

The library organizes library tours every academic year. During the library tours you will be able to visit the campus’ libraries premises with our librarians. You will also get tips on how to use the library’s spaces and services in your studies. 

The Kaisa House library tour 

Welcome to the Helsinki University Library tour! 

During the library tour, you will be able to visit the library premises in the Kaisa House with our  

librarians. You will also get tips on how to use the library’s spaces and services in your studies. 

Library tour will be organized as follows: 

Kaisa House (meeting place: Kaisa House, 3rd floor, Guidance Corner) 

  • Monday the 16th January 2023, 2PM-3PM  

The library tour will be held in English. 

Warmly welcome to visit the library! 

Play the Library Virtual Escape Game

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Are you ready for an adventure? The Library Virtual Escape Game will run 1 February – 29 December 2023.   

You’re about to embark on a magical journey, during which you’ll need to solve library-related problems online.  

The game is available in Finnish or English.

For more information and instructions on how to play, see the library news.

Other training organized by the library

In addition, the library organizes regularly courses and lectures on other issues, such as data management and open science. More information on the library website

Di­verse learners at the library

The library offers special support in information retrieval to students of the University of Helsinki who need this service due to a learning difficulty or some other reason. For example, you are entitled to personal advice on information retrieval (one hour) to support your studies.

  • Please contact the library to agree on organising additional support. Explain where you need help and suggest times suitable for you.
  • A specialist from the library will contact you and ask for additional information, if required.

Contact the library to agree on special assistance

Is reading an obstacle for you? Celia Library services for university students

Special arrangements for studies at the University of Helsinki

 

Do you have ques­tions about the courses?

In questions concerning the courses, please contact the library teachers via the online form. 

Contact the library using the online form.