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Definition of Information Literacy

According to the American Library Association (American Library Association. [2005, June 1]. Presidential Committee on Information Literacy. Final Report. Retrieved June 28, 2005 from http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/whitepapers/presidential.htm

Information literacy is the ability to:

  • Recognize when information is needed
  • Locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information

Mission and Objectives of Library Instruction

Mission Statement
The mission of library instruction at Leatherby Libraries is to provide the Chapman University community with lifelong information literacy skills.

Objectives
After completion of library instruction, Chapman University community members should be able to:

  • Recognize when information is needed
  • Determine the kind of information needed
  • Locate, evaluate, and use the information
  • Understand the differences between print, electronic, and other kinds of resoures
  • Effectively utilize the resources of the Leatherby Libraries

Library Instruction Methodology

Two methods of library instruction are available to Chapman University students, faculty and staff. Select the most appropriate instruction for your needs by clicking below on either Individual Reference or Course-based Bibliographic Instruction.

Individual Reference Conference (IRC)
IRC services are available to Chapman students, faculty, staff and administration that need in-depth and/or more individualized research assistance or guidance. Examples of research/information needs that fall within the scope of this service include: instruction on specific electronic research resources on a specific topic or discipline; mediated online search services on commercial databases, etc. This service is available by appointment with a librarian, within a reasonable turn-around time after a request is submitted; it is usually a ½ - 1 hour session; and is arranged with a librarian. To facilitate your request, please complete this form. A librarian will contact you to schedule a consultation.

Course-Based Bibliographic Instruction
Course-based Library Instruction sessions are available to Chapman
Faculty whose students would benefit from library instruction suited to their course requirements. The online Course-based Library Instruction session form must be completed before a session can be scheduled and it is located at http://www.chapman.edu/library/instruction/courseform.html.

Faculty need only complete this online form and a librarian will contact you to schedule an instruction session within 2-3 working days. Please allow the librarian a minimum of 7-10 days advance notice when scheduling a course-based library instruction session.
The instruction session is usually held during a regularly scheduled class session and can be facilitated in the Leatherby Libraries' instruction room or in a "wired" classroom. There is a minimum time allotment of 40 minutes for a bibliographic instruction sessions. Faculty are strongly encouraged to be present during the instruction session to demonstrate to their students the importance of the library and its resources/services for research purposes and life long learning.
If you have any questions regarding this policy or Library Instruction sessions, please feel free to contact Julie Artman, Head of Reference and Instruction, at 532-7752 or artman@chapman.edu.