4 Developing Information Literacy
Cascadia College COLL101 and Campus Library Team
Developing information literacy is an important part of a college education because it is a way in which to become an informed member of society and global citizen. The Association of College and Research Libraries defines information literacy as “…the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning.” (2016, p. 12)
The process of developing such literacy may start with becoming acquainted with your Campus Library’s resources and thinking about what you need to do research on, but it quickly becomes much deeper than that. Information literacy is about understanding what kinds of knowledge matter for different disciplines and topics, critically identifying and evaluating appropriate sources and information, and practicing search strategies to locate and access the many different kinds of library resources.
In COLL101, students begin the process of developing information literacy in order to do some basic research. The expectation is that students will continue to develop their information literacy over time, in subsequent courses, after college, and over their lifetimes. Information literacy is something that many will use in their careers, as surveys of graduated college students have suggested (i.e. Fraillon et al., 2020; Travis, 2011). And, as with other literacies, information literacy is a lifelong skill that improves with practice.
This article contains the following sections that will offer information about developing information literacy and opportunities for reflection about the process:
- Part 1 Campus Library Introduction
- Part 2 Critical Internet Searching
- Part 3 Introduction to Campus Library Resources
- Conclusion
- References
Part 1: Campus Library Introduction
On the University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College campus, students begin their learning about information literacy at the Campus Library. The Library is part of the University of Washington Libraries system, which operates as one library serving three campuses and is recognized for the exceptional quality of its staff, services and collections. Library staff are leaders in user-centered services, assessment, collaboration, online learning, and innovative pedagogies.
The UW Bothell/Cascadia College Campus Library specific mission is stated below:
The Campus Library supports and enhances teaching, learning, and research at the University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College. As part of the University of Washington Libraries we acquire and manage material and virtual resources, and promote the creation and use of knowledge in an atmosphere where information and ideas are readily accessible and freely exchanged. (UW Libraries)
Library Services
Thus, like other university librarie