COD Library - Library Services

Information Literacy Instruction

What is information literacy?

Information literacy is the ability to recognize an information need and then to locate, evaluate, and effectively use information from a variety of sources to satisfy the need. The acquisition of information literacy skills contributes to an individual's development as a critical thinker, problem solver, and independent learner.

For another perspective, read this current article about defining information literacy.

What will your librarian teach your students?

The goal of an instruction session is to develop your students' competence in finding, selecting, and using the information resources needed for your assignment (e.g. paper, speech). The content of the instruction session will be customized based on your course assignment, the ability level of your students, and the amount of time available for instruction.

Why take class time for information literacy instruction?

Instruction on the use of the Library and the very complex array of information resources we have today will help to demystify the Library and the research process. Your librarian will strive to help your students overcome their anxiety about the process and to provide them with the knowledge and skills that they will need to successfully complete your assignment. In our experience, it is a mistake to assume that your students already have all the skills necessary to complete a research assignment.

How do you take advantage of this?

Contact your librarian before the quarter begins when you're preparing your syllabus to ensure that you get the date you want and that the timing of the instruction session is suitable for your assignment due date.
If you are not able to contact your librarian before the quarter begins, please give him/her as much advance notice as possible.
Send a copy of your assignment to your librarian and plan to spend some time discussing your course and assignment goals.

Where are the instruction sessions held?

We have five classrooms in the Library, two of which have computers that can be used for hands-on instruction. Your librarian can also go to your classroom.

Do you need to attend the session?

Yes, as you would any other class session. The students need to hear from you about the assignment, the resources, and your experiences with finding and using information in the context of your course and discipline. They are likely to have questions about the assignment that only you can answer.

What can you do if you do not have the class time to include a session?

Contact your librarian for handouts or other materials that you can pass out to your students.
Arrange with your librarian to set up appointments with your students for individualized assistance or be available by phone or email.
Tell them about the Reference Desk in the Library and the friendly, helpful librarians who are there to teach them the needed skills on a one-on-one basis.
Refer your students to our Ask A Librarian email reference service.

What can you do if you teach off-campus or online?

Talk to your librarian about providing a session in your off-campus classroom or computer lab.
Consider the advantages of bringing your students to campus to experience the physical facility and to use resources that are not on the computer.
If you teach online, your librarian will be happy to work with you to have your students use the "Doing Research" tutorial or to develop other kinds of web-based instruction.

Diana Fitzwater,
Coordinator, Information Literacy Instruction Program
fitzwate@cdnet.cod.edu
(630) 942-2078

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