Information Literacy and Nursing

April 22, 2009

Eeva Munoz, Assistant University Librarian & Director, Allyn & Betty Taylor LibraryTom Adam, Information Literacy LibrarianRobin Featherstone, Research & Instructional Services Librarian

Agenda

Brief overview of information literacy goals

Library/Faculty collaboration

Discussion points

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Information Literacy

... is a set of abilities requiring individuals to “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” (American Library Association, 1989)

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Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Standards

Five standards (all with performance indicators and outcomes)

The information literate student…1. Determines the nature and extent of the information

needed2. Accesses needed information effectively and efficiently3. Evaluates information and its sources critically and

incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system

4. Uses information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose

5. Understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally

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Information Literacy and Nursing

Integrated into the goals for the new curriculum

Integrated into indicators for professional standards by the College of Nurses of Ontario

Integrated into the Evidence Informed Practice Movement

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Curriculum Goals

Year 1

• Access & apply relevant knowledge from diverse sources & ways of knowing

• Access appropriate resources to support evidence-informed practice

Year 2

• Understand the research process, its utility for nursing practice, & its contribution to the discipline

• Critique & use literature & other data pertinent to own practice

• Use information literacy skills to discern appropriate sources of information & knowledge

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Curriculum Goals, cont...

Year 3

• Practice nursing & justify clinical judgments using beginning research skills, evidence-based practice, ethical principles, multiple ways of knowing, & critical & creative thinking

• Analyze, organize and reconstruct information to effectively communicate to others and inform practice

Year 4

• Be reflective, inquisitive, self-evaluative, responsible & accountable with a commitment to lifelong learning

• Incorporate scholarship & critical reflection skills into own learning & nursing practice

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Summary

Information literacy in an integral part of the curriculum

It is a part of lifelong learning and critical thinking

Successful integration into the curriculum will require time, assessment, flexibility and collaboration

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An Effective Partnership

Librarians have knowledge of the fast-changing electronic information environment

Nurse educators have discipline knowledge and the responsibility to manage student learning (McDowell, 2002)

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Challenges

1:1200

Differing expectations and large number of instructors

Access issues

Geography

Difficulty translating existing information literacy based assignments into practice

Assessment

Maintenance

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Discussion Points

How do we integrate into the existing curriculum?

Do we develop a customized set of standards for Western-Fanshawe’s Nursing students? Or adopt an existing set of standards?

Who is responsible for maintaining, assessing and updating the program?

When does the program begin?

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