Information Literacy Commons^™

Reframing Library Instruction Towards Belonging, Vanessa Arce

Publications and Research

A reflection piece about a small, spontaneous adjustment I made to an introductory library session for first year students. In the essay, I reflect on the potential impact of this relatively minor change in the context of the student population at our college.

Teaching Inquiry As Conversation: Bringing Wonder To Life, Barbara K. Stripling, Darryl Toerian

Learning Hub

In Teaching Inquiry as Conversation, Barbara Stripling and Darryl Toerien invite school librarians, classroom teachers, and education leaders into a deeper conversation about what inquiry can make possible for learners. Building on the Stripling Model of Inquiry and Toerien’s FOSIL framework, the book presents reflective inquiry as more than an academic process. It is a whole-child approach that helps students develop curiosity, identity, cultural responsiveness, voice, agency, and lifelong learning skills.

In their ALiVE! Library Project interview with Dr. David Loertscher, Stripling and Toerien discuss inquiry as a communal process of coming to know and understand the world. Their …

Archivist, Subject Librarian, And Education Faculty Collaboration: Co-Instruction In History Of Education Classes, Laura Cameron, Kara Flynn

Collaborative Librarianship

In many academic libraries, primary source instruction happens in a vacuum, and students don’t always make connections between the skills they learn in a primary source instruction session and skills they may have already learned in information literacy-focused library instruction that they have participated in previous courses. This case study describes the design and objectives of an instructional partnership formed between an Education & Engagement Archivist, Education Librarian, and History of Education professor at a public, four-year university. The Education & Engagement Archivist and Education Librarian worked in tandem to develop interconnected lesson plans, allowing the Education & Engagement Archivist …

The Library Instructor As Learner: A Survey Of Reflective Teaching Practices In Us Academic Libraries, Alicia G. Vaandering, Amanda Crego-Emley

Communications in Information Literacy

Reflective practice provides library workers with a critical opportunity to examine professional experiences, question assumptions and approaches, explore new perspectives, and develop innovative solutions to existing problems. When applied to instruction as reflective teaching, this practice better situates library instructors to meet the evolving needs of twenty-first-century library users. This research study explores how library workers engage with reflective teaching in academic libraries across the United States. A survey was distributed to academic library communities, and a total of 153 responses were collected. While 92% of respondents reported participating in reflective teaching practice in a variety of instructional contexts, results …

Genai Literacy Framework For Library Instruction, Adwoa Boateng, Jennifer Freer, Greyson Pasiak, Erich Short, Ryan Tolnay, Rit Libraries

Presentations and other scholarship

A generative artificial intelligence (genai) framework for library instruction. This short framework is designed to incorporate into existing library instruction across many subject areas. The basic elements of the framework are: know & understand genai, use & evaluate genai, and library research & discovery with genai.

"I Don't Think Librarians Can Save Us": The Material Conditions Of Information Literacy Instruction In The Misinformation Age, Amber Willenborg, Robert Detmering

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This national qualitative study investigates academic librarians’ instructional experiences, views, and challenges regarding the widespread problem of misinformation. Findings from phenomenological interviews reveal a tension between librarians’ professional, moral, and civic obligation to address misinformation and the actual material conditions of information literacy instruction, which influence and often constrain librarians’ pedagogical and institutional roles. The authors call for greater professional reflection on current information literacy models that focus on achieving ambitious educational goals but which may be unsuitable for addressing the larger social and political crisis of misinformation.

What Language Are We Speaking?: Marketing Information Literacy On University Library Websites, Aleksandar Golijanin

Communications in Information Literacy

This study investigates how Canadian university libraries communicate information literacy (IL) to non-library faculty members on faculty-facing web pages. A content analysis was conducted of websites from institutions affiliated with the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (n = 25) to identify trends in the terminology used to describe IL. The findings reveal that the term "information literacy" appears with varying frequency across website headings, subheadings and body text, while terms like “research skills” and “critical information use” may appear in its stead. University libraries may intentionally be employing these terms to enhance faculty engagement in response to the existing …

Fostering Ai Literacy In Undergraduates: A Chatgpt Workshop Case Study, Susan G. Archambault, Nicole L. Murph, Shalini Ramachandran

Librarian Publications & Presentations

This case study explores the design and implementation of a Chat-GPT literacy workshop for undergraduate students, aiming to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the AI-driven information landscape responsibly and critically. Drawing from a comprehensive literature review on AI literacy and employing a postphenomenological lens, the workshop incorporated best practices for teaching ChatGPT skills, including an emphasis on ethical considerations and critical reflection on the human-technology relationship. The postphenomenological perspective allows for a deeper understanding of how ChatGPT shapes students' experiences and practices. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study assessed the effectiveness of the workshop through …

Understanding Bias And Using Wikipedia - Slides, Mandi Goodsett

Michael Schwartz Library Publications

No abstract provided.

Avoiding Misinformation Online - Slides, Mandi Goodsett

Michael Schwartz Library Publications

No abstract provided.

Teal 6545, Usu Libraries

All E-Learning Resources

Attention: As of 2026 updated versions of this module will no longer be available on Digital Commons. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

The learning objectives for TEAL 6545 are to develop a research question about a chosen topic and to design a realistic study to conduct in the future. This library module teaches viewers about research and resources including strategies, grey literature, peer review, and more.

Information Literacy Instruction Trifecta: Universal Design For Learning, Culturally Responsive Teaching, And Andragogy In Action, William Ortiz

Library Faculty Publications & Presentations

Instruction is an integral part of many academic librarians’ responsibilities, yet many enter the profession with varying levels of experience in teaching. While librarians can gain a basic understanding of the general best practices of instruction through myriad means before and after becoming librarians (e.g., a course in library school, professional development, mentorship from other librarians, personal research), many librarians do not get the chance to engage with critical pedagogies and fundamental learning theories the way that teachers do. To that end, this LOEX 2025 workshop is intended to act as a primer and a creative space so that instruction …

Redefining Reference Services In The 21st Century, Johanna Tunon

School of Information Student Research Journal

The role of reference services in libraries has evolved significantly in the 21st century, driven by technological advancements and changing user needs. This paper explores how reference services have transitioned from traditional, desk-centric interactions to encompass a wide array of platforms and tools, including digital innovations and generative AI. The decline in reference transactions has prompted librarians to adapt, shifting focus towards more complex consultations and instructional roles, while also navigating the blurred boundaries between reference assistance and formal instruction. The paper also examines the updated definitions and limitations of reference services by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), …

Chaos Creator: Misinformation Inoculation In Information Literacy Instruction, Mandi Goodsett

Michael Schwartz Library Publications

Combating the spread of misinformation is a struggle that has inspired considerable research in the fields of psychology, education, political science, and information science, among others. Such research has found that “prebunking” or “inoculation” techniques—strategies that reduce the acceptance of misinformation before one has encountered it—have had marked success. However, there is little evidence that librarians are deliberately employing inoculation techniques in their information literacy (IL) instruction. Via a quasi-experimental study, this research explores the effect of prebunking techniques in an IL instruction session on undergraduate students’ ability to recognise misinformation. The prebunking techniques are delivered through a competitive game …

The Decline Of The Traditional Reference Desk: How Library Reference At Francis Marion University Is Adjusting To The Shifting Trend Compared To Other Academic Libraries, Bernadette Johnson

The Southeastern Librarian

In a world of advanced technology, traditional reference faces the ever-increasing challenge to maintain its relevance and significance. Statistics show a drastic decline in reference desk transactions in academic libraries nationwide over the last few decades. As academic libraries around the nation are now transforming their services to adjust to the changing needs of today’s library users, how does the Reference department at Francis Marion University compare to its peers in keeping pace with this trend?

Lesson Planning To Active Engagement: Harnessing Ai Tools For Academic Library Instruction, Helen E. Bischoff, Lisa Nichols

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Love it or hate it, AI is here to stay. So how can librarians embrace AI in the classroom and use it to their advantage when working with students? Drawing from our own experiences in K12 and university settings, we will highlight AI tools instruction librarians can use to support their own teaching and learning in terms of lesson planning, classroom activities, and research consultations. We will demonstrate AI tools we have used such as ChatGPT and Semantic Scholar to engage middle school and undergraduate students and offer tips for promoting thoughtful, ethical use of AI for learning. We will …

Sample Instruction Class: Germ 525--Fall 2024, Kathrine C. Aydelott

Faculty Publications

A sample slide deck of a library instruction class given in GERM 525 (a sophomore-level German class) using Mentimeter as a presentation platform.

Investigating Faculty Perceptions Of Information Literacy And Instructional Collaboration, Angie Cox, Amandajean Nolte, Angela L. Pratesi

Communications in Information Literacy

This exploratory mixed-methods study investigates faculty perceptions of information literacy (IL), its instruction, and librarian collaboration teaching IL since the adoption of the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education at the authors’ institution. Many previous studies examining these questions were completed when the ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education was the guiding document for the profession. Like earlier studies, findings from this study clearly demonstrate that faculty value IL and that collaborations occur in differing and inconsistent forms. However, at the authors’ institution, there is a misalignment between faculty and librarians in what IL is and …

Fostering Udl-Informed Library Instruction Practices Developed From The Covid-19 Pandemic, Niki Fullmer, Katie Strand

Library Faculty Research

Purpose: This case study explores how universal design for learning (UDL)-informed online instruction modules developed during COVID-19 can better support student information literacy outcomes. This study will also examine how hybrid learning lends itself to UDL and may resolve some of the issues within library instruction.

Design/methodology/approach: This case study explores how a team of librarians at Utah State University developed three UDL-informed modules to support library instruction and hybrid learning during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey was sent to composition instructors to understand how they utilized the three new UDL-informed modules and if the modules helped …

A Journey Through The Library, Anne Hays Adkison

Open Educational Resources

This chapter describes core services in a library by imagining a narrative tour of the physical space of the library. Students are invited to download and print an accompanying zine, which takes them on a scavenger hunt through the library. By reading about core services and actively using these services, students will learn the basics of how to use their college library.

Topics covered include: the circulation desk, the reference desk, textbook reserves, the reference reading room, library computers, library archives, media services, exhibition spaces.

Meaningful Work When Work Won't Love You Back: Sociological Imagination And Reflective Teaching Practice (Reports From The Field), Andrea Baer

Libraries Scholarship

This essay explores the tension between pursuing meaningful work in instruction librarianship and the realities of working in a society in which many jobs provide little fulfillment or pleasure, or, as the journalist Sarah Jaffe puts it, “Work won’t love you back.” Drawing on a recent conference keynote by Anne Helen Petersen, C. Wright Mills’s conception of sociological imagination, and an ecological model of teacher agency, I propose that one way librarians can sustain their teaching practices and preserve their well-being is by actively investigating how social structures and relationships influence their teaching roles.

Engaging, Reflecting, Listening: The Undergraduate Research Process, Maura A. Smale, Mariana Regalado

Publications and Research

This study investigated the kinds of information literacy and library support that undergraduates found useful when completing a research assignment. Through weekly questionnaires with students on their experiences doing research for their English composition class, we explored the ways in which college students study, research, and complete their assignments, including the tools and processes that they find most helpful as well as the ways in which they need more support. Our research provides insights into the student experience for both library program development and English composition faculty and program directors.

Are We Teaching Critical Information Literacy Asynchronously?: A Content Analysis Of Digital Learning Objects In Open Repositories., Tessa Withorn

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Get ready for new ideas for how to incorporate critical information literacy into your asynchronous online instruction! It’s time to go beyond teaching simply how to find, use, evaluate, and cite information to explore the social construction and political dimensions of information. Digital learning objects (DLOs) such as videos, interactive tutorials, and online modules are a great way to expand on these information literacy concepts. This content analysis of publicly available DLOs in open repositories reports on what information literacy topics librarians are currently teaching and highlights exemplary DLOs that cover concepts related to critical information literacy.

Library Curriculum As Epistemic Justice: Decolonizing Library Instruction Programs, Heather Campbell, Dan Sich

Western Libraries Publications

Information literacy scholars and leaders are calling for the decolonization of library instruction, knowing that our work helps to maintain colonial systems. While there is no checklist or road map to program decolonization, academic libraries and instruction teams must start the work anyway. This article shares the story of curriculum decolonization at Western Libraries, so far, including the decolonization ‘cycle’ we followed and our resulting six learning outcomes. Grounded in epistemic justice, our new curriculum prioritizes living beings over information, and uses a broad, inclusive definition of knowledge throughout. Librarians at Western University acknowledge that the first step in decolonization …

Highlighting Engineers Diverse Information Sources Through Customized Libguides For Engineering Design Courses, Aleshia A. Huber

Library Scholarship

This case study examines the development and implementation of a customized LibGuide for a freshman engineering design course, aimed at enhancing students’ awareness and utilization of the diverse information resources employed by professional engineers. The redesigned guide featured dedicated pages for each design project, each curated with targeted resources to promote deeper engagement with a broad spectrum of engineering information. User interaction data was examined to assess its effectiveness, and practical recommendations are provided for librarians seeking to implement similar course-integrated guides

Drawing To Conceptualize Research, Reduce Implicit Bias, And Establish Researcher Positionality In The Graduate Classroom, Alissa A. Droog, Kari D. Weaver, Frances Brady

Faculty Books & Book Chapters

Through reflection, coupled with literature to ground our thinking, this chapter discusses the experiences of three librarians with the use of conceptual drawings about research processes as an equitable pedagogical practice. This drawing technique has pushed each of us to understand research in different ways and reflect on our own positionality as researchers and as teachers in the classroom. First, Kari D. Weaver considers how drawing research shapes an individual’s understanding of themselves as a scholar. Second, Alissa Droog reflects on the use of drawing to understand how research relates to our identities. Finally, Frances Brady connects drawing to further …

The 1-2-3 Of Market Research For Business Startups: A Case Study In Library Instruction, Daniel Le, Marie-Louise Watson

Georgia Library Quarterly

This article describes a practical way to teach student entrepreneurs to search and use market data for business startup plans. The conventional way of teaching students to find articles and business intelligence based on a class assignment can be challenging for many students without an academic business background. This library instruction approach sequentially uses three databases enriched with business data and infographics to support the development of critical thinking for student entrepreneurs. It teaches entrepreneurial personality support, analysis, visualization, and market mapping.

Meeting The Needs Of Online Students Through Creative Reimagining And Collaboration With Instructors, Jenn Monnin, Beth Nardella

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

This chapter presents a case study where a Health Sciences Librarian and an Exercise Physiology Professor at an R1 University transformed two library instruction sessions into one graded online assignment. Successful student outcomes proved the asynchronous online method worth continuing for future courses regardless of class format.

The typical instruction methods and experimental modifications made to accommodate remote learning demanded by the COVID-19 pandemic and online course sections will be presented in this chapter. Student learning outcomes will be examined followed by a discussion of best practices discovered during the project. A final recommendation will be made for librarian and …

Are Infographics Worth It?: An Assessment Of Information Retention In Relation To Information Embedded In Infographics, Z. Sylvia Yang, Jessica A. Abbazio

Library Faculty publications

Infographics are an effective means to communicate with audiences, draw attention, and make concepts digestible in a quick and straightforward way. This study explores students’ opinions on infographics used in library instruction, and provides quantitative data to help librarians determine whether these tools will help students engage with text and retain key concepts. Based on research conducted with undergraduate music students at two universities, DePauw University and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, this paper examines how students understand and interact with content embedded in infographics, and measures retention of information presented in either plain-text or infographic form.

Misinformation And Information Literacy: Strategies For College First Year Information Literacy Instruction, Grant Hardaway, Anne Jumonville Graf

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Information literacy education encompasses a wide range of instructional strategies and content, some of which include media literacy and metaliteracy. Increasing attention to the development and spread of misinformation on social media underscores the need for information literacy instruction to address this issue. At the same time, first year college students continue to need foundational information literacy skills in order to be successful in their assigned research projects. At the presenters’ institution, most library-led instruction emphasizes strategies and resources for success in an academic context, without much focus on other information landscapes, such as social media. This presentation will share …