Information Literacy  

The Final Report of the Curricular Planning Working Groups listed information literacy as the first of six pathways to deepen student engagement in learning and research. What is information literacy?  According to Jeremy Shapiro & Shelley Hughes' groundbreaking 1996 article, Information Literacy as a Liberal Art, information literacy can be defined as "a new liberal art that extends from knowing how to use computers and access information to critical reflection on the nature of information itself, its technical infrastructure and its social, cultural, and philosophical context and impact."

The Librarians wanted to provide a place for faculty to find ideas and resources on information literacy. In addition to key concepts, we intend to feature examples, tools, and links that will demonstrate how you are already using information literacy in your classes, describe the support that librarian consultants can offer, and inspire new ways of engaging students in this important activity.

We will be constantly developing this site, and hope that you will send us suggestions, links, questions, and comments through the blog, through feedback links throughout the pages, or through contacting your department's librarian consultant. Let us know what you need, and how we can help!

- Marilyn R. Pukkila, Head of Instructional Services, Colby College Libraries