We collaborate with faculty to develop information literate students.
Information literacy is the ability to recognize when information is needed and to locate, evaluate, and use it effectively. This set of skills is essential in today's world. Student development of information literacy is a process that spans the four-year college experience.
The library collaborates with instructional faculty to help students develop information literacy at the basic and field specific levels.
Information literacy is integrated into the curriculum of General Education Cluster One (Foundational Skills). The components of the instruction program are:
- Madison Research Essentials Toolkit
The Madison Research Essentials Toolkit was designed to equip students to use and understand the JMU Libraries, recognize that information is available in a variety of formats, determine when information is needed and find it, evaluate the quality of information, and use information ethically and legally.
- Madison Research Essentials Skills Test (MREST)
GenEd students must demonstrate competency in information literacy by passing this online test by the end of their first year. Students take the test in a secure testing lab in Ashby Hall.
Librarians are available to collaborate with faculty to design resource-based assignments that provide students with an opportunity to practice and refine their information literacy skills.
The library liaison program provides a librarian for each academic department to support integrating information literacy into the curriculum of the major. Liaison librarians collaborate with faculty to design assignments, deliver instruction (in person and online), and assess learning.
- Course-related instruction
Liaison librarians will provide course-related library instruction on request. This instruction focuses on helping students learn information-seeking and evaluation skills important to their field of study. Carrier Library and East Campus Library both have library instruction classrooms with computers for hand-on experience. When a library classroom is not available, a librarian can provide instruction in a classroom or campus lab. Contact your liaison librarian to request instruction.
- Subject Guides
The liaison librarians have prepared online guides to key resources in the major and helpful instructional aides.
- Instruction by appointment
Faculty and students may request an appointment with a liaison librarian for assistance in learning new sources and skills.