Instruction: Information Literacy
| Library Instruction Programs | Instructional programs on information literacy. |
| The Workshop Program | An Information Literacy outreach program which serves 2,500 to 3,000 students per calendar year; most often the result of collaboration between an instructor and a librarian. |
| Workshop Development | Developing Information Literacy Workshops. |
| Instruction Support Files | Support files used for Information Literacy Workshops. |
| Assessment and Evaluation | A survey for Information Literacy Workshop participants. |
| LibGuides | Online guides to using the library for research in particular topic areas. |
The Information Literacy Focus
With an eye on preparing students to succeed not only in the classroom, but in an increasingly technology-oriented workplace, the BHCC Library has developed a series of instruction sessions and interaction guidelines designed to integrate Information Literacy goals throughout the process of library research at BHCC. We offer library orientation and instruction in several different ways; see our BHCC Library Instruction Program page for more detail on all the types of instruction available.
The BHCC Library follows ALA / ACRL definitions and standards for Information Literacy. We look at Information Literacy as a set of skills that:
- Enables people to recognize when information is needed
- Enables people to locate, evaluate, and use effectively needed information.
- Forms the basis for lifelong learning
- Is common to all disciplines, all learning environments, and all levels of education.
This definition informs everything from the style of interactions at the Information Services Desk to the design of Information Literacy workshops. Our goal is always to emphasize the process of research over the outcome of finding an answer.
Library Workshop Sessions
The bulk of the library's work in Information Literacy outreach is accomplished through the Workshop program, which serves 2,500 to 3,000 students per calendar year.
BHCC Library Instruction Files
The following Web files are used to support in-library workshop sessions conducted at BHCC. These sessions are constructed using a template based upon the American College & Research Libraries (ACRL) competency standards, indicators, and outcomes.
- English as a Second Language Suggested Reading List
- World Civilization - Ancient Rome
- World Civilization - Classical Greece
Feedback
Feedback about the library workshop experience is extremely important. The library staff relies on the comments and observations of participants when reviewing the content and delivery of each session. Feedback allows library staff to more closely align library instruction with student and faculty needs and create library instruction relevant to the academic experience here BHCC. We encourage students and staff to take a few minutes to fill out the very short feedback form or the brief evaluation form.
For more information or to schedule a focus session for a class, instructors should contact Andrew McCarthy at (617) 228-2323 or send an e-mail request for information to BHCCLibrary@bhcc.mass.edu.