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Information Literacy Program

 

"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

Why is Information Literacy Important?

One of the goals of the mission of The University of Scranton is to “impart to students the importance of gathering, evaluating, disseminating, and applying information using traditional and contemporary methods.”

The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) has developed Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education as a guide to help faculty integrate information literacy into their courses.

What are the Benefits of Information Literacy?

Faculty should schedule an Information Literacy session so that the students in your classes will become familiar with the Library’s resources and services. Library faculty will customize each session to meet your needs, focusing on the resources for your subject area. Your students will be introduced to strategies for searching and learn how to critically evaluate the results of their searches. They will become proficient in using catalogs, databases, and the Internet, which in turn will reduce their library anxiety.

The Library offers Information Literacy Stipends to faculty to facilitate the integration of Information Literacy into academic courses. Stipend recipients collaborate with a librarian to develop assignments that integrate information skills and concepts into student learning outcomes.

Students, individuals, or groups can make an appointment with a librarian to help them develop their search strategies. The Library awards a Library Research Prize annually to one undergraduate student and one graduate student. The purpose of this prize is to recognize excellence in research projects that show evidence of significant knowledge in the methods of research and the information gathering process, and use of library resources, tools and services.

How is Information Literacy Being Assessed?

The Weinberg Memorial Library has developed an Assessment Plan in order to measure the quality and the effectiveness of its Information Literacy Program and the contributions that this program makes to enhance student learning.

Information Literacy Faculty

The Library faculty who teach Information Literacy have subject area expertise and will tailor your Information Literacy instruction to your needs.
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