Library Classes

Mission

The mission of the University Libraries' Information Literacy Program is to help individuals learn how to locate, evaluate, and use information effectively through a variety of means and in collaboration with the teaching faculty.

Definition

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) defines information literacy as “the ability to locate, evaluate, and use information to become independent lifelong learners.”

Competency Standards

The library uses the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Competency Standards as a guide in helping students become information literate.

An information literate individual is able to:

• Determine the extent of information needed

• Access the needed information effectively and efficiently

• Evaluate information and its sources critically

• Incorporate selected information into one's knowledge base

• Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose

• Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethcially and legally

For research methods courses and other courses with a strong library research component

Subject specialist librarians are available to meet with classes for instruction in the effective use of library and Internet resources. Examples of such courses are: Introduction to Graduate Research in Curriculum & Instruction, Multi-National Marketing, and History Theory & Practice.

Faculty members wishing to arrange instruction for such courses should use the instruction request form giving a minimum of two weeks notice. For televised classes, four weeks notice is preferred. Reference librarians are eager to work with faculty in planning ways to integrate information literacy into their courses.

Also, consider some of the alternatives, listed below under "For other courses."

Request library instruction

For Certain Undergraduate Classes

A library component has been developed by the Library for certain courses, even though the librarian does not necessarily meet with classes.

• ELS 101: Instructors should check the University Orientation course coordinator for the latest edition of the library exercise.

• ENGL110: Instructors should check with the English Department office for the latest edition of the library introduction/exercise. They may also wish to use Web-based tutorials to help students learn about library research.

• ENGL111: Instructors may choose to assign the Web-based tutorial StarQuest, arrange for an in-library session with reference librarian Elizabeth Hogue, or assign a library exercise. Instructors should check with the English Department office for the latest edition of the exercise. Please use the instruction request form at least 2 weeks in advance to arrange for an in-library session with Ms. Hogue.

For Other Courses

We have provided many excellent alternatives to library-led sessions, many of which are self-paced and available in computer labs. Some are available from any computer with Web access. Others are appropriate for group use. Take a look.

• Library 'Map'

• Tutorials (StarQuest, etc.)

• "How-To" Guides

For Special Old Dominion University Programs

Coordinators for programs such as the Student Transition Program and the English Language Center may phone 683-4182 and ask for Megan Smith to inquire about instruction possibilities for such groups.

For Non-Old Dominion University Programs

Advanced placement high school groups and other groups wishing to visit our library should know that we are unable to provide tours or other instruction sessions for such groups. We can meet with high school teachers in advance of such visits, however, to orient them to our resources.

If you wish to bring a group into the library, please call 683-4182 to check with Megan Smith, the library reference department contact, to insure that no other activities will conflict with your planned visit and to discuss the number of persons that can be accommodated and the number of chaperones required for such groups.