Fall 2026
Fall Research Webinars
We have an exciting lineup of live webinars this fall! Taught by JFL librarians, these webinars are designed to help students strengthen their research skills and build confidence in the research process. Please share these webinars with your students! For those unable to attend live, each session will be recorded and archived on the library website for later viewing. You may also wish to incorporate previously recorded webinars into your courses as supplemental learning resources. If there are research topics or skills you would like to see covered in future webinars, we would love to hear your suggestions. Thank you for helping us connect students with resources that support their academic success.
The Secret Library: Discovering the JFL’s Hidden Gems | Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Join this webinar to learn about resources you may not realize the library provides, including video content, feature films, Bible study materials, and more! We will explore some of these lesser-known resources and demonstrate how they can be accessed and used.
Finding and Evaluating Exegetical Commentaries | Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, 7:30 p.m. EDT
In this webinar, you will learn the process of finding exegetical commentaries through the JFL website, including effective ways to locate digital commentaries and how to navigate to a key verse or passage. You will also learn how to evaluate the commentaries for their content and scholarly value and how to assess the academic level and scope of detail found in popular commentary series.
Research Strategies for Applied Doctoral Programs | Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Applied research focuses upon solving specific problems within real-world settings. This webinar will introduce applied doctoral research for programs requiring an Applied Doctoral Research Project (ADRP), capstone, dissertation-in-practice, or similar projects. You will learn how to identify scholarly literature, connect theory to professional practice, and use library resources to support the literature review process.
Research in the Arts | Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, 7:30 p.m. EDT
This webinar will discuss helpful databases and search strategies for developing a strong research project in the arts. High-quality art often relies on historical, contextual, and theoretical knowledge, and this webinar will address how to use sources such as literary criticism, scripts, visual media, and theoretical works to create your own well-researched art.
The 30-Minute Literature Review Rescue | Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Feeling stuck in your literature review? This webinar will show you how to move from a broad topic to a focused search strategy using keywords, Boolean logic, citation chaining, and database selection. You will leave this webinar with practical steps to find quality sources and organize your research more effectively.
From Bach to Bartok: Music Research at Liberty | Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, 7:30 p.m. EDT
How do you research music at the Jerry Falwell Library? In this webinar, we will cover basics like finding a score, finding an analysis of music pieces, conducting a biographical composer search, and researching musical movements.
Navigating E-Books and Audiobooks | Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Join this webinar to learn about the thousands of e-books and audiobooks available to you through the Jerry Falwell Library. From Bible commentaries to recreational reads, this webinar will equip you to locate, access, and download items from these collections.
Enhanced Study and Learning Spaces
After a successful pilot last semester, we have added more study pods to the library for students to reserve!
Students can now find:
- Seven study pods in the Lakeside Terrace Learning Commons
- Five study pods in the Dodak Technology Commons
- One study pod in the Curriculum Library
These pods feature noise-reducing technology, making them ideal for recording presentations, attending virtual meetings, practicing a new language, studying without distractions, and focusing on coursework and research projects.
In addition to individual-use pods, two group study pods in the Dodak Technology Commons can accommodate small-group meetings, making them a great option for collaborative projects or study sessions.
Like our group study rooms, study pods can be reserved in advance by visiting this link.
You’ll also notice several other improvements to our library spaces designed to support student learning and productivity. Many seating areas have been refreshed, including new furniture in group study rooms. We’ve also added new study booths on the second floor, providing additional space for small-group collaboration. To support those who enjoy staying active while they study, we’ve expanded our selection of treadmill desks, offering even more opportunities to combine movement and learning.
New Spaces for Connection, Creativity, & Wellness
Another exciting addition this semester is the creation of several new “living room” spaces throughout the library. Designed with comfortable furniture, inviting décor, and a welcoming atmosphere, these spaces encourage students to relax, recharge, and connect while spending time in the library.
Each area offers a unique opportunity for engagement:
- LEGO Lounge – A creative space where students can build, create, and take a mental break from academic work (2nd floor).
- Devotion Area – A reflective space where students are invited to highlight and share meaningful Scriptures, devotional thoughts, or encouraging passages (3rd floor).
- Convo Corner – A welcoming area featuring books by Convocation speakers, conversation starters, and opportunities for students to engage in meaningful discussion (1st floor).
- Puzzle Table – A collaborative space where students can contribute to a community puzzle, offering a simple and enjoyable way to relax, connect with others, and work toward a shared goal (1st floor).
We have relocated our New Books collection to open shelving in the Carter Learning Commons, making it easier than ever to explore the latest additions to the collection. In addition, the Beyond Books display has been expanded, providing even more opportunities to discover items that encourage creativity, wellness, learning, and leisure.
Together, these updates reflect our commitment to supporting the whole student by creating spaces that foster academic success, collaboration, creativity, reflection, and community. We invite you and your students to explore what’s new and take advantage of these exciting additions throughout the semester.
Looking Ahead: Research Week 2027
Research Week is a collaborative effort that brings together students, faculty, and staff from across the university to celebrate scholarship, creativity, and discovery. We are already looking forward to Research Week 2027, which will take place April 19-22, 2027. Building on the momentum of last year’s record participation, we are excited to see the innovative research, scholarship, and creative work our students will showcase this year!
As the semester progresses, we encourage you to seek out students whose class projects, research interests, or emerging ideas could develop into a Research Week presentation or poster. Faculty play a critical role in identifying and encouraging students who may not yet recognize the value of their own work or the opportunities available to them. Now is the perfect time to begin planting the seed. A simple conversation or word of encouragement can give students the confidence to pursue a research project and share their work with the Liberty community.
We also invite you to consider serving as a faculty sponsor. Faculty sponsors provide invaluable guidance throughout the research process, helping students refine their ideas, navigate challenges, and develop the skills needed to present their work successfully. Your support can make a lasting impact on a student’s academic and professional growth.
Please help us promote Research Week in your classes throughout the year. A brief mention of the event, examples of past projects, or encouragement to explore research interests can make a significant difference in student participation. Faculty engagement is essential to fostering a culture of research and encouraging students to share their work with the broader academic community.
Thank you for partnering with us to cultivate a culture of inquiry, scholarship, and discovery at Liberty University. We look forward to celebrating our students’ accomplishments together during Research Week 2027!
Self-Paced Research & Information Literacy Modules
The Jerry Falwell Library offers a variety of self-paced, interactive learning modules designed to support students throughout the research process. These modules introduce core research and information literacy concepts in an engaging, accessible format that students can complete at their own pace.
Whether students need a quick refresher on a specific skill or are working through a more comprehensive, scaffolded research assignment, these modules provide practical instruction to help build confidence and competence. Topics range from developing a research question and finding scholarly sources to evaluating information and citing sources effectively.
One unique benefit of these modules is that they are tailored to the resources and services available through the Jerry Falwell Library. We encourage you to share these modules with your students and consider incorporating them into your courses where appropriate. They can serve as valuable supplemental instruction, reinforce concepts introduced in class, or provide additional support for students who may need extra guidance navigating the research process. By connecting students with these resources, you can help them develop the information literacy skills and research confidence needed for academic success.
AI Citation Checks
One indicator of AI-generated work can be inaccurate, incomplete, or fabricated citations. If you encounter a citation in a student’s work that doesn’t seem quite right, the library can help verify whether the source exists and provide guidance on evaluating the citation. While we cannot review entire class bibliographies, we can assist with specific citations or sources of concern. Faculty are encouraged to contact research@liberty.edu and include the citation(s) in question. For broader questions related to AI use, academic integrity, and institutional guidance, please contact the Office of Academic Integrity and your academic leadership.
