The Libraries offer a wide range of
instructional programs and services:
Information literacy at the University Libraries
According to the American Library Association,
“To be prepared for a future characterized by change, students must learn to think
rationally and creatively, solve problems, manage and retrieve information and communicate
effectively. By mastering information problem-solving skills, students will be ready for
an information-based society and technological workplace.”
An information literate person can:
- Understand the organization of information
- Recognize and articulate a research problem
- Develop appropriate search strategies
- Select and use information retrieval tools
- Locate and retrieve sources
- Analyze and critically evaluate information
- Organize and synthesize information
- Use and apply information
For more information on information literacy, please see
the Association for College and Research Libraries’ Information Literacy in a Nutshell: Basic
Information for Academic Administrators and Faculty.
The University Libraries have placed working toward
information literacy as one of its primary goals. To this end, a Plan for Information Literacy at the University of Rhode Island
was developed in 2002. The progress we have made in implementing the Plan through Fall
2003 is summarized in Information Literacy: Challenges for
the Future.
Included in the Plan are the three existing credit courses
offered by the Libraries:
LIB
120 Introduction to Information Literacy
Information is a commodity readily available in overwhelming abundance. However,
information is only useful if the researcher has the knowledge and skills necessary to
understand it. At the end of this course, students will be prepared to conduct college
level research for life-long learning beyond their University experience. 3 credits.
LIB 140 Special Topics in
Information Literacy
This course allows students an in-depth opportunity to explore the implications of our
information rich society and to learn to use critical thinking skills in evaluating this
wealth of information. The course supports the goals of information literacy and can be
designed to focus on any discipline. Concurrent registration in a class that requires
information literacy skills is required. 1 credit.
BIO
508 Seminar in Biological Literature
The literature of the life sciences will be covered, based on the needs of the class.
Primary research journals, databases, search strategies, web sites in the life sciences,
citation indexes and more will be covered. Offered in the Spring. Open to graduate
students and upper level undergraduates with permission of the instructor. 1 credit.
Course-related instruction services
At the request of colleagues teaching courses
in a wide range of disciplines, reference librarians also design and teach library
instruction sessions tailored to fit the specific research and curricular needs of
students in particular courses. Librarians teach methods of research, sources of
information, and evaluation of information.
Examples of what course-related instruction sessions may
include are:
- Electronic database demonstrations with time for hands-on
practice
- How to choose and use electronic and print periodical
indexes
- Instruction in general and subject-specific reference
materials
- How to use the HELIN library catalog
- Internet search strategy and evaluation
Classroom instructors may schedule a course-related
instruction session by contacting a Subject Selector /
Specialist in the Library. Instructors are asked to provide the librarian meeting
their class with any supplementary materials (e.g. assignments, course syllabi, etc.) at
least one week in advance of the day we meet your class. Also, please see the Creating Effective Library Research Assignments page for
pointers on how to design research assignments that will enhance your students' learning
experience.
Individualized research consultations
More in-depth, one-on-one research
consultations are available by appointment with one of the Library’s Subject Selector / Specialists.
Library User Guides
Library User Guides are short guides to the
University Libraries’ services and resources. They are available in print format in
the Libraries, and many are also available online. Assignment Guides may be customized for
the needs of particular courses.
Contact information
If you have any questions about the Libraries’
Instruction Services, please contact Chair of Public Services Deborah Mongeau or Information
Literacy Librarian Mary MacDonald. Deborah can be reached by e-mail at dmongeau@uri.edu or by telephone at (401) 874-4610. Mary
can be reached by e-mail at marymac@uri.edu or by
telephone at (401) 874-4635. |
