LBCC LIBRARY COMMUNITY UPDATE LCU 6 January 22, 2003 by Henry DuBois

Information Competency: What's That?

The American Library Association, The American Association of School Librarians, The Association of College and Research Libraries, and the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, along with many other higher education organizations have recognized that in an information-driven society information competence has become fundamental to the ability to succeed and thrive. In fact it's become a graduation requirement for students in California Community Colleges. What is this new expectation and how can students be prepared to meet it? Students who are information literate can: · Define the research topic · Determine the information requirements for the research question · Locate and retrieve the needed information efficiently · Evaluate and use the information critically and competently · Understand the ethical, legal, socio-political issues surrounding information and information technology When instructional faculty and librarians collaborate, with the library's information professionals showing students ways in which they can use the print and electronic resources of the library to explore and understand the ideas and concepts of the class, everyone benefits. "At LBCC the librarians are eager to work with their instructional colleagues to help nurture information literacy skills in students", according to Kim Barclay, Bibliographic Instruction Librarian. "We know that learning about the library's databases and reference resources is most effective when it's linked directly to a student's assignments and research for a particular course. We want to collaborate with teaching faculty to stimulate student inquiry and learning." To see what the library is doing to promote information literacy point your browser to the library home page http://lib.lbcc.edu/ and click on "Classes & Workshops." To arrange for a library presentation tailored to the particular needs of your class(es) click on "Services for Faculty." For more information contact Kim Barclay, Bibliographic Instruction Librarian (562) 938-4708, email: kbarclay@lbcc.edu