Charting a New Course for Information Literacy at York University
Over the course of the summer of 2005, York‘s librarians came together to develop a common vision and plan for library teaching and instructional efforts. Impetus for this exercise came as a result of the increasing demand for library instruction from faculty members and students, and as result of the strong support for our Information Literacy program in the University’s most recent Academic Plan. The UAP notes the critical importance of libraries to the research infrastructure of the university and the importance of access to professional librarians to provide intensified instruction in information literacy competencies to faculty and students alike.
From the impetus offered by the Academic Plan and our strategic planning process, librarians have developed a manifesto articulating our vision for information literacy, a plan for implementing that vision (see links under Goals below), and a statement of future opportunities and challenges.
Information Literacy at York University Libraries: 2005 Manifesto
“The future will only contain what we put into it now."
-- Situationist Graffito. Paris, May 1968
What is Information Literacy?
The Prague Declaration from the International Information Literacy Meeting of Experts (2003) suggests information literacy encompasses “knowledge of one’s information concerns and needs, and the ability to identify, locate, evaluate, organize and effectively create, use and communicate information to address issues or problems at hand; it is a prerequisite for participating effectively in the Information Society, and is part of the basic right of life long learning.”
Mission Statement
Our overarching purpose in developing an Information Literacy program is to graduate critically-engaged, information literate citizens able to fully participate in the information society across all levels – scholarly, personal, vocational and political. Our program, therefore, will focus on enabling students to develop information-seeking behaviours that transcend specific finding tools, to recognize the societal context of information, to think critically about the information they find and to let that information transform them.
In collaborating with our faculty member colleagues across the institution to enhance and build the research culture, we strive to deliver upon the University’s promise of excellence in research and teaching. Additionally, in bridging the gap between classrooms, library collections and Internet resources, librarians and archivists cultivate the critical intellect and empower our students.
Information Literacy Goals
These goals will help guide our progress. By the year 2010 we will:
Promote the Libraries’ Information Literacy program in an effort to attract key academic partners and collaborative opportunities.
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Outreach and Promotion Objectives
Work to collaboratively integrate generic and discipline-specific information literacy competencies into program curricula across campus, accommodating incremental growth in student proficiency and understanding over the course of the degree.
> Curriculum Integration Objectives
Establish measurable outcomes for evaluation of the program. Evaluation will include periodic review of our information literacy manifesto and methods and the development of mechanisms for assessing student learning outcomes and needs.
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Evaluation/Assessment Objectives
Incorporate a flexible range of instructional modes to meet the needs of a diverse student population with varied abilities, interests and backgrounds, wherever they might be.
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Flexible Teaching Objectives
Foster a public culture of teaching by emphasizing the cross-pollination of ideas in professional development activities designed to foster sound pedagogical practices across the Libraries and to continuously search for innovations that improve teaching and learning in this area at York.
> Professional Development Objectives
In collaborating with our faculty member colleagues across the institution to enhance and build the research culture, we strive to deliver upon the University’s promise of excellence in research and teaching. Additionally, in bridging the gap between classrooms, library collections and Internet resources, librarians and archivists cultivate the critical intellect and empower our students.
