What is Information Literacy?
Information literacy is a vital skill in the information age. Information literacy is the ability to recognize when and what information is needed, and the knowledge of how to define appropriate search strategies, determine relevant sources, locate, critically evaluate and ethically use information in all formats.
Guiding Documents
We rely on national and local standards and statements to guide, improve, and assess our practice as teaching librarians.
National Resources from ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries)
- Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education
- Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education [PDF]
- Roles and Strengths of Teaching Librarians
Local Standards from University of Illinois
- Statement on Learning Goals
- Unit Plan for Assessing and Improving Student Learning
- Illinois Library Five Year Vision
Professional Development Resources
Checklist for New Librarians and Others with Teaching Responsibilities
This University of Illinois document helps new librarians orient themselves to information literacy practices and resources.
Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning
The Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a campus-wide service unit responsible for assisting faculty, academic units, and teaching assistants in improving instruction.
Teaching Advancement Board
Administers the Provost’s Initiative on Teaching Advancement, the Travel Grant program, grants for teaching and curricula workshops, the campus instructional awards program, and the Distinguished Teacher/Scholar Program. The board also supports college-based professional development programs on teaching effectiveness.
Tips on teaching
Ideas on active learning and collaborative learning that you can use in your classes.
Tips on assessment
“Institutional assessment efforts should not be concerned about valuing what can be measured, but instead about measuring what is valued.” -A. W. Astin
Tips on writing learning outcomes
How to write learning outcomes.
Organizations
User Education Committee
The User Education Committee was the hub of the information literacy community at the University of Illinois library until 2018.
Professional organizations that support library teaching
- LOEX
- ACRL Immersion Program
- LIRT (Library Instruction Roundtable — ALA)
- IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations)
Resources and Support
- Information Literacy Journals
- Information Literacy Blogs
- Library Workshop Calendar
- LibGuides
- Instructional facilities
- Equipment
For More Help
If you do not find what you are looking for, please contact us and we will help you find what you need.
Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe, Coordinator for Information Literacy Services and Instruction
Email: ljanicke@illinois.edu