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The Association of College & Research Libraries defines information literacy as the following:

Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information." (Presidential Committee on Information Literacy. Final Report, 1998, para. 3).

Information Literacy Student Learning Goals

The instruction librarians at the Lewis J. Ort Library pursue the following set of student learning goals based on ACRL’s information literacy standards:

1. Students will frame a research question and identify main concepts and corresponding keywords that can be used during the search process.
2. Students will learn to understand the differences between information sources.
3. Students will learn to use catalog USMAI (the online catalog of the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions) to identify appropriate books and items within the library and the University system.
4. Students will learn to use Research Port to identify and find appropriate articles for their research.
5. Students will learn to efficiently and effectively access information and identify credible sources, including information from the World Wide Web.
6. Students will understand that there are different documentation styles for citing sources.

Instruction

Library instruction at FSU is offered for all Freshman Orientation (ORIE) 101 sections and for English (ENGL) 101/111, as well as for many upper level sections of Psychology (PSYC) 300 and 487, ENGL 330 and 338.

If you teach courses at FSU, you may request a session by filling out the online library instruction request form or calling x4425 to schedule a class.

Instruction is conducted by a faculty librarian. If interested in team-teaching the session with the librarian, please feel free to discuss this option and the goals for the session with the librarian assigned to instruct your session. 

Also, if you are running short on time, librarians can teach a shortened session for your class.

Assignments

If you have a specific assignment in mind as faculty instructor, please speak with the librarian prior to the scheduled class so that he/she can be aware of the goals that you have in mind for your session.  If you would like us to revise an assignment or create one for your library session, please let us know at least two weeks prior to your scheduled library session.

Assessment @ Lewis J. Ort Library

In Fall 2004, we began developing information literacy standards and refining library instruction for the ENGL 101 students. We use the basic information literacy concepts to assess student outcomes each semester.  Below are the results for the last three years. We have passed the 70% benchmark! The Spring 2007 results indicate a 72.7% correct overall response.

Learn More about Information Literacy

Check out the following links to learn more:

LOEX Clearing House for Library Instruction -
Interactive tutorials regarding research and information literacy concepts assembled by LOEX (Library Orientation Exchange)

Assessing Information Literacy & Research Skills -
Information literacy assessment guidelines from Towson University's Assessment Office

Assessment of Student Learning at FSU -
Frostburg State University's six proficiencies for student learning - including information literacy - with established benchmarks and methods of measurement

Staff

• Katherine Jenkins, Coordinator of User Education
• Pam Williams, Associate Director of User Services
• MaryJo Price, Special Collections and Reference
• Sean Henry, Web Development and Reference
• Jeff Maehre, Government Documents and Reference