What is “information literacy”?

An information literate person, according to the American Library Association [ALA], is one who recognizes when information is needed, and can then find, evaluate, and effectively use that information. Rowan University’s librarians aim to develop information literacy skills in all students, as it forms a foundation for general life-long learning.

Progression Standards for Information Literacy, as determined by the New Jersey Library Association, are measured by evidence of:

• Ability to identify and address what information is needed, and ask relevant questions
• Ability to search for, access, and extract information efficiently
• Ability to evaluate sources and think critically about main ideas
• Ability to use provided information for a specific purpose or through a specific medium
• Ability to use information ethically and legally

*Progression Standards are created by academic librarians established in two- and four-year colleges in New Jersey. Their standards are based on existing standards created by the Association of College and Research Libraries [ACRL], State University of New York [SUNY], and Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

How do our librarians help students develop their research skills?

Instructional Team librarians, as well as all the librarians who staff the reference desk, interact with students regularly to instruct, guide, direct, and evaluate how researchers collect information. To further strengthen these research and learning skills, Rowan University’s librarians have developed a program consisting of three different types of guided introductions to the library’s tools and resources, designed to target all types of learners at varying levels of literacy:

Course-related orientations

Students of different subjects/disciplines have different research needs. Course-related orientations, led by instructional librarians, introduce new students to commonly used resources, as well as special research/ composition aides available through your library.

Click here to schedule a library orientation.

Library tours

To evaluate and use a resource, an information-literate person must first be able to locate it. Library tours are available to both the Rowan community, and senior high school student groups, designating physical resources, and explaining how to find specific items.

Tutorials

Use of technology and computer programs is not always intuitive. Some advanced features, updates, or capabilities may be difficult to discover without instruction. Online tutorials make navigating databases and using online indexing and reference tools easier, guiding the user through step-by-step instruction (verbal and textual) along with screenshots and visual examples.