Information Literacy

Information Literacy Guide, Pollak Library
California State University, Fullerton

Home
Standards
CSU IL Initiative
CSUF IL Initiative
CSUF Resources
Departments
Sample Objectives
Library Assignments
Tutorial
Web Links
Bibliography

 

Information Literacy, Pollak Library, CSUF

The mission of the Pollak Library Instruction Program is to prepare CSUF students to be successful information seekers in a rapidly changing technological environment. At the core of this mission is the commitment to the concept of Information Literacy as outlined by the California State University.

Students must be able to demonstrate these skills in an integrated process:

bulletState a research question, problem, or issue
bulletDetermine the information requirements for the research question, problem, or issue
bulletLocate and retrieve relevant information
bulletOrganize information
bulletAnalyze and evaluate information
bulletSynthesize information
bulletCommunicate using a variety of information technologies
bulletUse the technological tools for accessing information
bulletUnderstand the ethical, legal, and socio-political issues surrounding information and information technology
bulletUse, evaluate, and treat critically information received from the mass media
bulletAppreciate that the skills gained in information literacy enable lifelong learning

Information Literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning. It is an intellectual framework common to all disciplines, all learning environments, and all levels of education. Its focus is on content, communication, analysis, information searching, and evaluation. In addition, students need repeated opportunities for seeking, evaluating, and managing information gathered from both traditional sources and resources in the expanding digital world.

In order to enhance learning and facilitate in the acquisition of Information Literacy, the Pollak Library provides the following instructional opportunities that actively involve students in this process, and may complement discipline faculty’s curricular efforts:
bulletFaculty requested, course-integrated library instruction sessions.
bulletLibrary Survival Skills Workshops
bulletIndividual Reference Desk and Electronic Resources assistance
bulletOne-on-one research consultations
bulletFullerton First Year integrated information competency instruction

These opportunities not only prepare CSUF students for immediate curricular activities, but also enable them to be effective lifelong users of information. The various opportunities also recognize the diverse nature of the CSUF learning community and the range of learning styles, attitudes, and educational levels.

The implementation of Information Literacy supports the University’s mission and goals, and also supports the CSU system-wide initiative.
Created: March 6, 2001  Updated: 22 Jan 2007


Prepared by Suellen Cox scox@fullerton.edu and Margaret Hogarth (2001).
An instructional page of the Paulina June & George Pollak Library at California State University, Fullerton.
(c) 2001 California State University, Fullerton. All rights reserved.