Information Literacy at Belmont: Home

There are several ways to incorporate information literacy instruction into your course, from an in-class session led by a librarian to the integration of library content into Blackboard. Some options to consider:

• Course-integrated instruction designed in consultation with a librarian to support students with a specific research assignment. Could include an in-class session led by a librarian or just a consultation on assignment design.
• Library content in Blackboard - library instructors can help you integrate library resources into Blackboard making them more accessible to students
• Course or assignment LibGuides - we can create guides on the library's website that curate appropriate resources for your specific need
• LibWizard tutorials - interactive online tutorials can be created for specific information literacy needs. One example is the Nursing Research Tutorial, in which students analyze quantitative and qualitative studies. 

The library instruction team looks forward to working with you in order to improve our students' information literacy skills.

Our instructional philosophy in a nutshell...we hope to go beyond the library orientation and just teaching students where to click on a website. We would love to collaborate with you to design activities and assignments that teach students to think critically about how they access, evaluate, and use information. 

Information literacy is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning. (Association of College & Research Libraries, 2015)

"Information literate people are those who have learned how to learn." (ALA Presidential Committee on Information Literacy)

Belmont's Information Literacy Program is based on The Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education (ACRL 2015). The Framework is organized into six frames, each consisting of a concept central to information literacy, a set of knowledge practices, and a set of dispositions.

1. Authority is constructed and contextual
2. Information creation as a process
3. Information has value
4. Research as inquiry
5. Scholarship as conversation
6. Searching as strategic exploration

The Frames relate to the following university learning goals:

Goal 2: Develop sophisticated rhetorical skills, including:

a.       Effective writing and speaking

b.      Recognizing, evaluating and constructing written oral argument

c.       Recognizing and evaluating visual and other forms of non-verbal communication

d.      Effective use of technology

Goal 3: Develop sophisticated critical thinking skills, including:

a.       Quantitative reasoning

b.      Critical reasoning and reflection

c.       Engaging and solving complex problems

d.      Understanding systems and relationships, including interdependencies and interconnections

There is an active learning classroom in the library, Room 300, on the third floor, in which library instruction can be scheduled and includes:

• seating for 32
• flexible furniture that can be easily moved into a variety of configurations
• 32 personal white boards
• Ditto screen sharing software
• 3 projection monitors

The room can be scheduled on a limited basis by faculty and staff, especially those looking for a space for active learning instruction. Use our online calendar to check for availability and to Book Room 300.