Creating a self-paced library orientation and information literacy module: Providing access to library resources at the point of need

Abstract

Southwest Baptist University is a small, liberal arts university in the Midwest with four campus locations. The information literacy program has traditionally been handled on a class-by-class basis whenever a professor would invite a librarian to do a one-shot session. However, this was not the comprehensive plan that the library faculty wanted for our libraries and students.

During the 2014-15 academic year, the information literacy librarian, along with members of the General Education Committee, worked out Program Level Student Learning Outcomes (PLSLOs) to cover all levels of learning using the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. Even though these PLSLOs were a step toward a comprehensive program, a librarian was required to oversee the program and its success depended on professors allowing us to work with them on assignments and assessment. The PLSLOs also did not address how we could provide information literacy instruction to campus locations that did not have a librarian, nor how to support online students. When the information literacy librarian position was not approved to be filled in 2016, this model languished.