Information Literacy Competencies
(Draft 12/2/98 and 3/23/99)

Ideally every graduate of Weber State University will gain the following information literacy competencies prior to graduation. Students who are information literate can:

1. Recognize the value of information

A. Recognizes the need for information in personal, work and academic settings

B. Persists in obtaining information that meets his/her needs

C. Recognizes the value of information in society at large. Student is aware of the ethical, legal, social, cultural and political issues surrounding information and information technology, such as information access, copyright and the responsibility to properly credit information sources

D. Identifies the value of different types of information, formats, publications and media for different purposes

E. Appreciates that the skills gained in information competence enable lifelong learning

F. Is aware of the difference between information and knowledge

G. Is aware of the structure and dissemination channels of the global information environment.

2. Explore Information Needs

A. Can define the information need

B. Can seek background information

C. Can formulate search question

D. Can identify potential and appropriate information providers

3. Understand information structures

A. Understands how library and Internet information collections are organized, indexed and   classified

B. Understands and uses library catalogs

C. Understands and uses Internet search engines

D. Understands and uses periodical indexes

E. Understands and uses other reference print sources and electronic databases

F. Understands library services, particularly the role of the Reference librarian

4. Develop  and apply effective search strategies

• A. Can concisely articulate a particular problem or question

• B. Can identify subtopics while researching

• C. Can prioritize  sources to organize searches effectively and efficiently

• D. Can retrieve information, using a variety of methods and technologies

• E. Can refine search strategies as needed

• F. Can determines what category of information resource is most relevant to the information     need and develops a plan to search for needed information

• G. Can recognize when he/she has sufficient information

5. Use appropriate vocabulary to search for information needed

• A. Can identify and use appropriate search language for the topic being researched

• B. Can identify and use appropriate search language for the source being used

• C. Can use broader, narrower and related vocabulary terms effectively

• D. Can identify and use thesauri and other tools to determine vocabulary

6. Locate and retrieve information sources

• A. Interprets bibliographic citations and Internet equivalents and knows how to obtain cited items

• B. Uses interlibrary loan, document delivery, electronic transmission, or other means to obtain material not available locally

7.  Analyze and critically evaluate information

• A. Analyzes and critically evaluates the results of a search for appropriateness of information found to the information need

• B. Analyzes and critically evaluates information based on standard criteria including authority, appropriateness, accuracy, relevance, timeliness, point of view or bias, publisher or producer and medium in which the information is provided, etc

• C. Filters large amounts of information and distinguishes among facts, points of view, and opinion

8. Use information effectively

• A. Can synthesize information from a variety of sources

• B. Can construct a broad outline of the information found

• C. Can summarize information found

• D. Can organize information for practical application

• E. Can apply information to critical thinking and problem-solving situations

• F. Can communicate using a variety of information technologies

• G. Can integrate information resources into academic discourse

The above competencies were developed from several sources including competencies developed by Librarians at Indiana University South Bend 

Below are competencies used for WSU TBE 1505 exam as agreed upon by the team subcommittee:

a. Interprets bibliographic citations and Internet equivalents and knows how to obtain cited items

b. Uses interlibrary loan, document delivery, electronic transmission, or other means to obtain material not available locally

Last modified March 23, 1998. Please send comments to Carol Hansen, Instruction Services Librarian. (Back to Instruction Team)