Ely Library Westfield State College


Information Literacy Competencies and Outcomes for the Information Problem-Solving Process

Below are links to two sets of competencies/outcomes that could be incorporated into any Departmental objectives for students majoring in that field.  Each set has a slightly different way of approaching the development of information literacy or information problem solving abilities in our students.  Please contact Brian Hubbard, Interim Library Director (x5233) or Corinne Ebbs, Information Instruction Coordinator (x5464) with any questions.
Outcomes for the Information Problem-Solving Process
Brian Hubbard

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Information Literacy Competencies
(Based on the Association of College and Research Libraries
Information Literacy Competency  Standards*)

Included are examples of performance indicators for each competency.  For a more comprehensive list, see:

http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/ILIndicators.htm

A student completing the [Department major] will demonstrate the following abilities:

  1. Determine the nature and extent of information needed to answer a question related to [Department].
  2. Locate, retrieve, and evaluate [Department] information effectively & efficiently.
  3. Individually or as a member of a group, uses information effectively in a manner that supports a specific purpose such as a paper or presentation in the field of [Department].
  4. Understands the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information access and uses information ethically and legally.
For an example of how these compentencies have been used by a Department of Geography, see:
Humbolt State University, Geographic Department Information Competence Initiative
Select "Learning Outcomes in Geography."

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For the full ACRL Information Literacy Competencies, Performance Indicators, and Outcomes, see: http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlstandards/informationliteracycompetency.htm#stan

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For another version, see:   Outcomes for the Information Problem-Solving Process


Westfield State College logoURL:  http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/ILCompetencies.htm
Page maintained by Corinne Ebbs
Last updated March 5, 2004