Faculty Services: Research Instruction

Our shared definition in Kinlaw Library for what information literacy is:

Foundational to lifelong learning, information literacy is a set of skills that equip a person to critically engage with a constantly changing information environment. Information literacy focuses on finding, evaluating, interpreting, managing, and ethically using information to answer questions and develop new ones.

The librarians in Kinlaw Library have worked together to compile five major student learning outcomes (SLOs) that apply to all of our students at Asbury University. To see how these SLOs break out into detailed objectives for each level of student, view the attached PDF file.

1.  The student articulates a need for information and locates the information effectively and efficiently.

2.  The student evaluates the attributes of the gathered information to assess the credibility.

3.  The student analyzes the scope and significance of the gathered information.

4.  The student synthesizes the gathered information with original ideas and prior knowledge.

5.  The student effectively uses gathered information in an ethical and appropriate manner.

While the librarians in Kinlaw Library thought it was important to personalize out student learning outcomes to the students here at Asbury University, we used national standards to guide our process. The Association for College and Research  Libraries (ACRL) has both standards and a framework regarding information literacy in higher education, which you can view by clicking below.

ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education

ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education

Not sure what information literacy instruction might look like? It could include instructing students in any of the following:

• Choosing and refining a research topic
• Conducting effective searches for information
• Finding quality resources in their academic discipline
• Evaluating resources for use in an academic assignment
• Avoiding plagiarism (using citation styles)
• Synthesizing gathered information into a cohesive project
• Developing critical thinking skills

Don't feel like you have class time to devote to instruction by a librarian? Consider one of our other collaboration options:

• Online videos or tutorials (created by a librarian or you)
• Collaboration with a librarian on lesson plans involving information literacy
• Assignments focusing on research skills (ex. research paper, bibliography, article analysis, etc.)

Click here to fill out a form to request a session!​

After the session is completed, click here to provide feedback on a session!

Have general comments or suggestions? Click here to provide anonymous feedback!

Meet the teaching librarians who are ready and eager to assist you!

• Amy Bessin, Instructional Services Librarian: Amy works primarily with undergraduate, on-campus programs, but while we are waiting to fill our Distance Services position she is also the contact for online programs. 
• Katrina Salley, Education Librarian: Katrina works with our education students and manages the King Curriculum Lab.
• Suzanne Gehring, Head of Archives & Special Collections: Suzanne works with students interested in primary source materials.

Questions about information literacy and how it fits into your discipline? Ready to create an assignment or schedule a session?

Contact Amy Bessin for more information!

amy.bessin@asbury.edu

859-858-3511 x2270

Kinlaw Library, room 238