Marshall University Libraries Information Literacy (IL) Plan

Definition

According to the American Library Association (ALA), “To be information literate, a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” American Library Association. Presidential Committee on Information Literacy: Final Report. (Chicago: American Library Association, 1989)

IL forms the basis of lifelong learning. Individuals have always needed the ability to locate and evaluate information. However, the uncertain quality and expanding quantity of information present unprecedented challenges to citizens in the 21st Century. Our students are confronted with diverse, abundant information choices of varying levels of quality.

For additional information and a list of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL, a division of the ALA) Information Literacy Standards go to http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/informationliteracycompetency.

Goals

The overall goal of information literacy instruction is to aid our users in becoming information literate individuals who can articulate their information need, develop strategies to find that information, evaluate the information they found and use it in an effective, ethical manner.

Marshall University Libraries will:

  • Support information literacy through customized library instruction and other instruction types
  • Support information literacy initiatives through technologically based tools (for example online modules, research guides, YouTube videos, podcasts)
  • Communicate and collaborate with campus community
  • Continue to work with Center for Teaching Excellence to offer faculty programs related to information literacy initiatives
  • Support information literacy initiatives through partnership with the Writing Center
  • Advocate for information literacy through a campus-wide presence

Assessment

Assessment will be conducted in accordance with Online Learning & Libraries, Information Technology and University standards and guidelines.

Marshall University Libraries Information Literacy Rubric (Adapted from the Information Literacy Value Rubric; AAC & U)

Capstone Level (Exemplary) (senior)

  • assesses the costs and benefits of acquiring the needed information
  • retrieves (implements a retrieval of) information online or in person using a variety of methods
  • collects and arranges the information and its sources
  • determines whether the new knowledge has an impact on the individual’s value system and takes steps to integrate6 differences
  • validates understanding and interpretation of the information through discourse with other individuals, subject-area experts, or practitioners

Acceptable (sophomore and junior)

  • evaluates and revises the nature and extent of the information need
  • selects the most appropriate investigative methods or information retrieval systems for accessing the needed information
  • revises the search strategy if necessary.
  • synthesizes main ideas to construct new concepts.
  • compares new knowledge with prior knowledge to determine the value added, contradictions, or other unique characteristics of the information

Emerging (freshman and sophomore)

  • identifies a variety of types and formats of potential sources for information
  • constructs and implements effectively-designed search strategies
  • applies new and prior information to the planning and creation of a particular product or performance

Baseline (freshman)

  • defines and articulates the need for information
  • (selects and) retrieves (implements a retrieval of) information online or in person using a variety of methods
  • applies new and prior information to the planning and creation of a particular product or performance