Landman Library - Arcadia University

The Goal of Information Literacy:

Information literacy instructions helps students address the challenges of an information-rich digital age and teaches them to become critical consumers of information, both in school and throughout their lives.

Information Literacy Defined:

Information literacy focuses on a wide variety of critical-thinking skills that go beyond mere information-seeking to help students effectively evaluate information and use it to solve problems, form opinions, and create new knowledge.

Information Literacy:

• Involves the use of information technology to retrieve information and communicate findings to others.
• Consists of “a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information” to create new knowledge and form one’s own opinions (ACRL Information Literacy Standards).

• Encompasses broader social and cultural issues dealing with the ethical and legal use of information, such as copyright and plagiarism.

None of these skills are new ones in and of themselves, but by putting them together under the banner of information literacy we can more effectively address the challenges of an information-rich digital age and teach students to become critical consumers of information, both in school and throughout their lives.

Desired Information Literacy Program Model:

According to Middle States, a successful information literacy program is one where faculty and librarians collaborate to integrate information literacy outcomes throughout all levels of the curriculum and throughout all disciplines. Outcomes are created for each level and tied to course material to increase relevancy and allow for progressive stages of learning (Middle States Guidelines for Developing Research & Communications Skills ).

Areas of Focus:

A tentative three year plan exists for the development of information literacy goals and for the integration of these information literacy goals into the curriculum in the following locations:

• First Year Seminar
• English 101
• Research Writing

• Senior Capstone

Future Plans:

After information literacy has been integrated into the above areas the library will work with departments to further include information literacy in their curriculum. The library will also work to more completely address the unique needs of specific groups of students, such as transfer students, international students, and graduate students.

Assessment:

Assessment will be tied to the assessment of the general education curriculum where information literacy outcomes overlap with curriculum areas. Assessment will also take place at the individual course level through classroom assessments techniques completed by the librarian, and through project based assessments completed in conjunction with individual faculty members where appropriate. Each summer the entire information literacy program will also be reviewed and revised based on assessment data.

Professional Development:

The Library will conduct outreach to the campus community to educate faculty and administrators about this initiative and the overall concept of information literacy. Yearly faculty grants will also support the efforts of instructors interested in significantly integrating information literacy into their courses.