Information Literacy

What Is Information Literacy?  |  Information Literacy and the General Education Core at UC |  Student Learning Outcomes  |  Integrating Information Literacy Into Courses |  Assessment | Resources for Faculty and Librarians 

What Is Information Literacy?

The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) defines information literacy as 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" and emphasizes that "Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning."

An information literate individual is able to:

  • Determine the extent of information needed
  • Access the needed information effectively and efficiently
  • Evaluate information and its sources critically
  • Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base
  • Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
  • Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally.
    (Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education approved by the Board of Directors of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) on January 18, 2000, at the Midwinter Meeting of the American Library Association in San Antonio, Texas. These standards were also endorsed by the American Association for Higher Education in October 1999 and the Council of Independent Colleges in February 2004).

Information Literacy and the General Education Core at UC

The General Education Core at the University of Cincinnati recognizes information literacy as "an essential skill that supports each of the baccalaureate competencies and must permeate every component of the General Education Core." 

Effective information literacy education requires collaboration of faculty and librarians and should be integrated into courses at all levels to provide reinforcement of skills.

Student Learning Outcomes

The University of Cincinnati Libraries Instruction Advisory Committee developed information literacy learning outcomes for course-related library instruction. The table shows how information literacy skills relate to UC Baccalaureate Competencies and how they develop through General Education curricular touch-points.

Integrating Information Literacy Into Your Courses

Linking to Resources

How Do I...? - brief videos and online tutorials for developing information literacy skills.

Integrate Library Resources into BlackBoard Courses.

Course Guides (research resources and tips for a specific class or assignment).

Subject Guides (comprehensive research guides prepared by subject librarians for finding information in various subjects).

Working with Librarians

Contact instruction librarians with requests for classes and for designing research assignments.
Contact subject specialist with requests for subject specific guides and instruction.

Assessment

Information Literacy Resources for Faculty and Librarians

Compilation of Textbook and Other Course Material Suggestions for Designing a One-credit, five-week Online Information Literacy Course (Word document)
Responses sent by ILI-L listserv subscribers in response to an inquiry from Jennifer Quirk, librarian at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, NY.
This compilation also contains additional materials Jennifer Quirk and Mary Keller, librarians at St. Joseph’s College, researched and included in the course content of an online, Blackboard course entitled:  LIB 100: Library Research Strategies.

Information Literacy
The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has developed this site as a gateway (and gathering place) for those looking for resources and discussion on information literacy focused on "improving the teaching, learning, and research role of the higher education community,"  including faculty and administrators.

International Information Literacy Resources Directory. The Information Literacy Section of the International Federation of Library Association and Institutions (IFLA) has created this database to record information literacy materials from different parts of the world, on behalf of UNESCO.
Librarians, educators and information professionals are invited to participate.
If you have developed information literacy materials and would like to share them with the world community, please submit the required data.

Journal of Information Literacy (JIL)
Journal of Information Literacy (JIL) is an international, peer-reviewed journal that investigates Information Literacy within a wide range of settings.

Mind Map of IL Resources - an online visual organizer with direct links to online sources compiled by Lisa M. Metzer, Learning Librarian, National Geographic Society, Libraries and Information Services.

Project Information Literacy (PIL) "is a national study about early adults and their information-seeking behaviors, competencies, and the challenges they face when conducting research in the digital age based in University of Washington's iSchool."

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