Information Literacy Commons^™

Learning From Recent British Information Literacy Models: A Report To Acrl's Information Literacy Competency Standards For Higher Education Task Force, Justine Martin

Library Services Publications

Information literacy is a fluid concept, shaped by our experiences, and changes in our information rich society. Guidelines articulating information literacy need modification to reflect the current form of this evolving concept. This report highlights the work of four groups in the United Kingdom to create innovative guidelines to assist practitioners in the promotion and teaching of information literacy.

Concept/Context: Information Literacy And Assessment In The First Year, Stefanie R. Bluemle, Amanda Y. Makula, Margaret W. Rogal

Library and Information Science: Faculty Scholarship & Creative Works

At Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, where the academic calendar consists of trimesters, all first-year students enroll in a year-long sequence of three "Liberal Studies First Year" (LSFY) courses, which are taught by faculty from a variety of disciplines. LSFY emphasizes core competencies in reading, writing, oral communication, and information literacy.

Since 2011, the Augustana librarians have been using performance-based assessment to evaluate their work with LSFY classes. This qualitative approach, which encourages real-life application of skills, has proven well-suited to an information literacy program in which concepts carry more weight than the mechanics of searching. Each term, the …

The Joy Of (Performance) Assessment, Amanda Y. Makula, Stefanie R. Bluemle, Margaret W. Rogal

Library and Information Science: Faculty Scholarship & Creative Works

How can librarians assess student learning in a way that is organic to the assignment and instruction session, yet gives results that are comparable across classes?

Performance Assessment is a qualitative method of assessment in which students demonstrate learning by completing specific tasks related to targeted learning outcomes. Performance Assessment encourages real-life application of skills and is well-suited to an information literacy program in which concepts carry more weight than the mechanics of searching.

The Augustana College instruction librarians use performance assessment to evaluate their work with a three-term sequence of required first-year general education classes (”Liberal Studies First Year” …

Refreshing Information Literacy: Learning From Recent British Information Literacy Models, Justine Martin

Library Services Publications

Models play an important role in helping practitioners implement and promote information literacy. Over time models can lose relevance with the advances in technology, society, and learning theory. Practitioners and scholars often call for adaptations or transformations of these frameworks to articulate the learning needs in information literacy development. This study analyzes four recently published models from the United Kingdom. The initial findings were presented in a report for an ACRL taskforce reviewing the Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. This article presents complementary, yet distinct findings from the same dataset that focus on reoccurring themes for information literacy …

Embracing Into: Library Plans And Campus Collaboration To Serve An Increased International Student Population, Shannon L. Farrell, Catherine L. Cranston, Jeffrey Bullington

Collaborative Librarianship

Universities are using private recruitment agencies to fast-track internationalization initiatives and realize tuition-based revenue increases. Colorado State University (CSU), with this dual aim of increasing the proportion of international students on campus and generating income via out-of-state tuition, signed a contract with INTO, a British organization that works to recruit international students to attend partner institutions from countries across five continents. International students, although not a homogenous population, as a whole do bring unique challenges. Our study examined how both campus and the library could prepare for the expected large influx of international students. Seeking to understand the INTO model …

Developing And Applying An Information Literacy Rubric To Student Annotated Bibliographies, Erin E. Rinto

Library Faculty Research

Objective – This study demonstrates one method of developing and applying rubrics to student writing in order to gather evidence of how students utilize information literacy skills in the context of an authentic assessment activity. The process of creating a rubric, training scorers to use the rubric, collecting annotated bibliographies, applying the rubric to student work, and the results of the rubric assessment are described. Implications for information literacy instruction are also discussed.

Methods – The focus of this study was the English 102 (ENG 102) course, a required research-based writing course that partners the instructors with the university librarians …

Creating Meaningful Learning Experiences For First Year Students, Ann Marie Smeraldi, Claudia Lilie

Michael Schwartz Library Publications

With only 55.5% of U.S. college students graduating with a bachelor’s degree within 6 years there is an obvious need for interventions that will help students adjust to college culture and teach learning habits that foster students’ abilities to persist to graduation. This presentation will illuminate the process of weaving together study skills, a common reading book and life on a college campus to design a cohesive first year seminar that facilitates student success.

Who Teaches Information Literacy Competencies? Report Of A Study Of Faculty, Sharon A. Weiner

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

Information literacy is recognized as an essential competency for educational success. It relates to all disciplines but is not a separate discipline, so it is not clear who takes responsibility for teaching this competency to undergraduates. This is a report of a survey conducted to better understand the extent to which teaching information literacy concepts by faculty occurred in a research university. The results indicated that faculty in the disciplines generally teach information literacy competencies to undergraduate students without collaborating with others on their campus. Many faculty also had the expectation that students know how to avoid plagiarism, find articles …

Elis: Embedded Library Instruction Services, Michael F. Strahan, Sarajane Jones Tompkins

Conference Presentations

An 11+ year collaboration between faculty and librarians at a Michigan comprehensive (II-A) university evolved from individual innovation to a campus-wide program, Embedded Library Instruction Services (ELIS). ELIS is introduced as a model for embedding personal librarian support and instruction in academic courses utilizing various course management systems. ELIS contains four elements necessary for successfully infusing library support with course instruction: library resources & services, course specific library instruction, librarian instructor collaboration, and student/ faculty needs assessment. The presenters will discuss the history of embedded librarianship at Olson Library; define the four elements; discuss implementation; and address factors affecting the …

Libraries And General Education: New Strategies To Enhance Freshman Orientation, Faculty Collaboration, And Curriculum Development, Carl R. Andrews

Publications and Research

My research will attempt to re-evaluate the academic library's role in supporting a general education program. The emphasis will focus on student centeredness, faculty collaboration, outreach and curriculum support. In the short time that I have worked in academic libraries I have learned that quality customer service and reference desk work is far from the list of priorities in some settings. Coming from the public library I found this to be unacceptable. We are service providers and the way in which we communicate with students and faculty is important. As professionals we should do more in the way of making …

“Google Reigns Triumphant”?: Stemming The Tide Of Googlitis Via Collaborative, Situated Information Literacy Instruction, Carol A. Leibiger

Faculty Publications

Googlitis, the over-reliance on search engines for research and the resulting development of poor searching skills, is a recognized problem among today’s students. Google is not an effective research tool because, in addition to encouraging keyword searching at the expense of more powerful subject searching, it only accesses the Surface Web and is driven by advertising. American higher education unwittingly fosters the use of search engines in research by emphasizing results rather than process. Academic librarians emulate teaching faculty in their reliance on lectures, and their course-related instruction is limited in its effectiveness because it is constrained to one-shot, lecture-driven …

You Don't Know What You Don't Know: Investigating The Information Needs Of Clients Of Web Based Public Sector Information Services, Julie Ann Johnson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research grew from two frustrations. The first was the personal frustration experienced when attempting to find information on websites; especially government websites. Often the sites were loaded down with all sorts of information such as corporate organisation charts and press releases but lacked the information which would allow clients to interact effectively with the agency or meet their information needs and move on. The second frustration was that of Edith Cowan University students who battled with a diverse, overlapping and incomplete set of both online and paper based resources as they sought to make decisions about their selections of …

Transforming Our Library Reading Room For A Leisure Reading Collection, Suzanne Roybal

Collected Faculty Scholarship

For our poster presentation, we wanted to highlight the success of our renovated reading room and the addition of a leisure reading collection in an academic library. One of the goals of our library strategic plan is to improve service to our community and to change the philosophical perception of our library so the students would have an inviting place to satisfy both heir educational and entertainment needs. Our drab 1960’s style reading room was the ideal location to refurbish and to locate our new leisure reading collection of books and magazines. To provide a pleasant environment for the students …

The Power Of Information Literacy: Building Student Success & Critical Thinking Skills, Rosemary L. Meszaros

DLPS Faculty Publications

What is information literacy? What skills do students need to learn to become successful in life? How can I incorporate these skills into the courses I teach? Take a fresh look at the concept of information literacy and how we can teach our students competencies in research, computer, media, and critical thinking skills. Part of the WKU Priorities Series.

Volume 3, Issue 10, December 2010, Parkland College

The Toilet Paper

Library Hours during the semester break; Avoid Fines!; Does holiday stress have you at your breaking point? Follow these tips to enjoy the festive season; TGIF: Thank Goodness It’s Finals!; Fall Textbook Buy Back is December 13-18

Volume 3, Issue 9, November 2010, Parkland College

The Toilet Paper

In observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, Parkland Library will have the following schedule changes; November is National Novel Writing Month; Parkland is Expanding!; Need A Quick Alternative to Google?; Having trouble with the bird? Contact one of these turkey hotlines; This month in the library, check out our exhibits on cooking for Thanksgiving and beyond, plus Native American Heritage Month!

Volume 3, Issue 8, October 2010, Parkland College

The Toilet Paper

Pick a topic and make yourself familiar with it; Find some specific research; Write an amazing thesis and organize your paper; Write, baby, write!; Document your sources and polish!

Volume 3, Issue 6, Summer 2010, Parkland College

The Toilet Paper

Did you hear? Parkland will be closed on Fridays; It's never too late to sign up for summer classes; Check parkland.edu/library for our hours, as they vary throughout the summer; Summer Reading and Movies Available Now; Get a NEW Parkland ID Card Today

Volume 3, Issue 7, September 2010, Parkland College

The Toilet Paper

Ask a Librarian; You need a new ID to check out at the Library; The Library was quoted as a “top pick for those who enjoy a quiet spot” for studying by the August 25 edition of the Prospectus!; Did you know we carry “the good stuff?”; Where to study in the Library

Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2010, Parkland College

The Toilet Paper

A Successful National Library Week; Need Caffeine?; Check parkland.edu/library for our hours after finals; Avoid library fines!; Congratulations to all of our graduates

Volume 3, Issue 4, April 2010, Version 2, Parkland College

The Toilet Paper

National Library Week April 11 - 17, 2010 Celebrating "Communities Thrive @ Your Library"; Tell Us What You Think; Second Annual Cupcake-A-Book Contest; READ Poster Unveiled; Check out our books on display! Literally!

Volume 3, Issue 4, April 2010, Version 1, Parkland College

The Toilet Paper

Wanting to finish your degree without leaving the area?; Check out our books on display! Literally!; National Library Week 2010

Volume 3, Issue 3, March 2010, Parkland College

The Toilet Paper

Make Up Your Own Holiday on March 26; Of the thinks you can think up if only you try; Check out a laptop at the Service Desk; National Library Week coming in April; Need a quiet study space; Check out parkland.edu/library for our hours during Spring Break

Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2010, Parkland College

The Toilet Paper

The library will be closed on Thursday, February 25 for Professional Development Day; Parkland Celebrates Black History Month; New Computers; Calling All Art Students and Fans; It's Tax Time Again

Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2010, Parkland College

The Toilet Paper

Avoid Library Fines!; Feature Films at the Library; Some New Resolutions for the New Year; Be Ready, Change Is Just Around the Corner!; Coming March 2010: the Parkland Connection online service's website is changing

Open House In The Ivory Tower: Public Programming At An Academic Library, Rochelle Smith, Ben Hunter

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

Public programming, a frequently used outreach tool for public libraries, is far less common in academic libraries. This article examines the University of Idaho Library’s efforts to attract both university and community members with public programming, delving into detail for three specific grant-funded discussion series: one on Jewish literature, one on graphic novels, and one on jazz. Strategies for location selection, advertising, scheduling and funding are all discussed with commentary on what worked well, what didn’t, and how public programming fits into the mission of an academic library.

Academic Library Services For Users With Developmental Disabilities: Partnership Of Access And Syracuse University Libraries, Adina Mulliken, Ann Atkins

Publications and Research

Syracuse University Library and Access partnered to provide library orientations to six Syracuse University students who have developmental disabilities. Access is a service that supports college course attendance for students who have developmental or cognitive disabilities. Students with developmental disabilities are being included in college life more and more. As this occurs, academic libraries will be providing more services to this population. We hope Syracuse University’s experience will be useful for other libraries to build on as they develop services. Additionally, we discuss opportunities to improve services for all students by focusing on students with developmental disabilities.

Learning 2.0: A Tool For Staff Training At The University Of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library, Ilana Kingsley, Karen Jensen

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

This paper describes a Learning 2.0 library staff training project completed in September 2007 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library. The project planning process, curriculum creation, implementation, incentives, and outcomes are included, along with a summary of survey results from program participants. Recommendations for implementing this free and useful staff training tool by other academic libraries are included, as well as a link to the Library’s Learning 2.0 blog.

An Empirical Study On Follow-Up Library Instruction Sessions In The Classroom, Xiaomei Gong, Mary Kay Loomis

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

This study with undergraduate students in the Ancell School of Business, Western Connecticut State University, evaluated the knowledge of students using library resources before and after one session of library instruction in the library, and after follow-up instruction in the classroom. Survey method was used before and after the initial session of library instruction in the library, and after follow-up instruction session in the classroom. Significant differences were found in the students’ knowledge of library resources between the pre- and post- surveys in the library session and in the library usage experience after the follow-up instruction session in the …

Volume 2, Issue 6, July 2009, Parkland College

The Toilet Paper

Lots of authors have new releases this summer; Library Hours; Tour de France 2009; Safety First with Summer; Following the Tour? Terms to Know