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Notes & Quotes

    Books

    Information Literacy

    by Mary Beth Parkinson, Information Literacy Librarian

    For the past several columns, I have presented information literacy as a skill that encompasses so very much more than the library research skills of knowing what information to pursue, locating, and then evaluating the information. With the goal of preparing our students for success in an information culture, it further requires that students apply new knowledge to solve a problem, and/or create a written or visual product. This learning process requires the involvement, support, and subject expertise of the classroom faculty, making the success of an information literacy project truly a strong collaboration among the librarians and classroom faculty.

    I have collaborated with the faculty coordinators to build the content for library research assignments and tutorials to more effectively encourage the information literacy skills of our students, including those enrolled in distance courses. The courses for which there is a tutorial and/or an assignment in place include English 102, Psychology 101, Nursing 106, and all Reading classes. A tutorial for Speech 110 is in development. We continue to encourage the faculty to take advantage of these tools in integrating information literacy with their course goals, assignments, and syllabi. I also encourage faculty representing other disciplines who are interested in adding an information literacy/library research component to a course to contact me, so that we can collaborate on the development of information literacy assignments and tools to build and strengthen these essential skills for their students.

    We also encourage faculty to schedule a library instruction session for their students. Librarians at the Brendlinger and West Campus libraries are pleased to offer assignment-related classes focusing on library research strategies and information literacy. Class sessions generally cover pertinent reference sources, electronic search techniques, and a demonstration of online databases.

    To schedule classes and discuss instruction:

    Brendlinger Library
    – Day classes - email or phone Mary Beth Parkinson – 215-619-7480
    – Evening classes – email or phone Robert Erb – 215-641-6682

    West Campus Library
    – Day classes – email or phone Kevin Strunk – 610-718-1912
    – Evening classes – email or phone Terri Sharif – 610-718-1820

    CTL Learning Community

    This semester, I again will be leading an information literacy learning community through the CTL to assist interested faculty in more fully exploring how information literacy can be integrated with the learning outcomes identified for a course. This semester, the program will be conducted in three sessions instead of four, and it will be held at West campus. By attending the three sessions, participating faculty will earn one CTL credit. Two credits will be earned, however, if a small final project is completed and shared with the others. Faculty are welcome to bring and eat their lunch during the sessions, and I always provide home-made chocolate chip cookies! You may register for these sessions through the CTL web page.

    CTL Workshops: Library, Laptop, Lunch

    Gretchen Keer and I will be giving three CTL workshops this spring. If the session is appropriate for your subject specialty, please join us. We look forward to meeting with you in the CTL, and feel free to bring your lunch. The sessions will be held:

    March 26

    April 4

    April 25

    Social Sciences Division

    Business Division

    Math, Science and Advanced Technology Division

    For more information about the Library’s information literacy initiative, please refer to previous issues of the Notes & Quotes newsletter, especially the Fall ’05, Spring ’06, and Fall ’06 issues.