INFORMATION LITERACY

IL PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Mission Statement

The information literacy program at Carlyle Campbell Library strives to empower the students, faculty and staff of Meredith to be curious, independent, and information-savvy lifelong learners. Embedded in the general education curriculum, the information literacy program creates opportunities for students, faculty and librarians to discover, create and share knowledge collaboratively through both structured and informal instruction sessions. Our librarians are dedicated to teaching the transferable, interdisciplinary skills of selecting, searching, locating and evaluating information, as well as inspiring inquisitiveness and scholarship in the members of Meredith's learning community. The program closely parallels the College's mission to "develop in students the knowledge, skills, values, and global awareness necessary to pursue careers, to assume leadership roles, to continue their education, and to lead responsible lives of work, citizenship, leisure, learning, and service."

Program Outline

The information literacy program at Meredith College has existed for several years, but was redesigned in fall 2003 for inclusion in the new general education requirements. Students at Meredith will graduate with a solid understanding of library and information research fundamentals after having three levels of progressive classroom instruction.

Information Literacy 1 is embedded within English 111. Students are introduced to basic academic research concepts and techniques through completion of an online tutorial, 2-3 class sessions with a librarian, and a graded information gathering assignment. Class content focuses on selecting, searching, locating and evaluating information in various formats.

Information Literacy 2 is embedded within English 200. Students complete an online tutorial as well as two class sessions with a librarian. Class content, building on knowledge acquired in English 111, focuses on advanced searching techniques, scholarly publications, and resource evaluation.

Information Literacy 3 is embedded within upper level, discipline-specific courses designated as "IL" in the course schedule. Course content focuses on acquainting students to print and electronic materials in their major disciplines. This final phase is currently in the development stage.

Definition

For more information on how Information Literacy is defined, click here.