Stewart Library - Weber State University


Information Literacy Competencies
stack of books

The information literate student:

  • recognizes when information is needed
  • identifies appropriate types of information
  • locates, evaluates and uses information effectively

computer

Students have achieved "Information Literacy" when they are able to:

Recognize the value of information
  • Recognizes the need for information in personal, work and academic settings
  • Recognizes the value of information in society at large. Student is aware of the ethical issues, such as information access, copyright and the responsibility to properly credit information sources
  • Appreciates that the skills gained in information competence enable lifelong learning
  • Recognizes the value of being able to use information effectively

Explore information needs

  • Ability to define information need
  • Ability to concisely articulate and formulate a search question
  • Can identify sub topics while researching
  • Ability to identify potential and appropriate information providers and resources
Understand information structures
  • Understands and uses electronic communication
  • Understands how library collections, databases and/or the Internet are organized, indexed, classified and accessed for academic research
  • Understands and uses library catalogs
  • Understands and uses Web browsers and Internet search engines
  • Understands and uses periodical indexes (also known as article databases)
  • Understands and uses other reference print and electronic resources
  • Can identify differences between scholarly and popular information
  • Understands library services, particularly the role of the Reference librarian

Search effectively

 

 

  • Can prioritize sources to organize searches effectively and efficiently
  • Uses appropriate thesauri and other tools to identify controlled vocabulary to search for information needed
  • Can use broader, narrower and related vocabulary terms effectively
  • Understands and uses Boolean logic and truncation
  • Can recognize when he/she has sufficient information

Locate and retrieve information sources

  • Interprets bibliographic citations and Internet equivalents and knows how to obtain cited items
  • Uses interlibrary loan, document delivery, or other means to obtain material not available locally
  • Understands access and institutional ownership and licensing issues
Critically evaluate information
  • Uses criteria including authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, coverage, organization, purpose

The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) published the Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education in 2000. These standards, performance Indicators, and outcomes provide a basis for our competencies and for improving information literacy instruction across the WSU curriculum and across the country. Weber State University uses ACRL's standards to develop, asses and continually improve our information literacy programs, activities and partnerships.

WSU students are required to achieve these competencies as part D of the WSU Computer and Information Literacy Requirement. 

More: About Our Program



Updated July 15, 2005 . Please send comments to Carol Hansen
Weber State University, Stewart Library. Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.