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Library Instruction Program: Information Literacy (IL)

Information Literacy Defined

"Information literacy empowers people in all walks of life to seek, evaluate, use and create information effectively to achieve their personal, social, occupational and educational goals. It is a basic human right in a digital world and promotes social inclusion in all nations." 
Alexandria Proclamation on Information Literacy and Lifelong Learning(2005),  
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. accessed 17 June 2019

MCC Libraries Information Literacy Mission Statement

Middlesex Community College Libraries strive to promote lifelong learning and critical thinking skills in our students, in direct support of Middlesex Community College’s mission and Institutional Student Learning Outcomes.

Our Student Success Librarians offer an information literacy program that

  • supports student success at Middlesex 
  • enriches students' academic, professional and personal lives
  • focuses on equity to transform lives and shape futures
  • promotes active learning that supports students' success in their guided pathways

We partner with faculty to ensure our instruction is focused on equity, tied to the curriculum, and targeted to help students achieve learning outcomes. MCC librarians also refer to the ACRL Frameworks when planning lesson and activities for library instruction.

MCC Libraries Information Literacy Values

  • We believe information literacy is best taught within the context of academic disciplines and use an integrated model of instruction.
  • We partner with faculty to ensure our instruction is tied to the curriculum, and targeted to student learning outcomes (SLOs)
  • We collaborate with other members of the Middlesex community, recognizing and valuing their contributions to information literacy objectives.
  • We strive to design tiered instruction that builds competencies over students’ career by emphasizing transferable knowledge and skills.
  • We use a range of active and collaborative learning activities that address students’ multiple learning preferences.
  • We continually assess our program to improve teaching and student learning.

Modes of Library Instruction

Instruction takes place in many ways, using a variety of teaching methods, including:

  • Course-integrated library instruction 
  • Embedded Librarians 
  • Personal Librarian program for students
  • Library Liaison program to support faculty
  • In-person and online instruction
  • Reference services through email, phone, chat and text
  • Individual research consultations in person and virtually
  • Customized exercises/assignments and tailored  course guides
  • Specialized workshops
  • Online tutorials
  • Faculty collaboration and consultation

Regardless of the method of delivery, Student Success librarians work with faculty to offer instruction that is tied to research assignments and that responds to students’ information needs. Student Success librarians continue to develop new modes of instructional techniques to support the needs of MCC students, whether the course is in person, online or hybrid.