ULS Information Literacy and Assessment of Learning Program

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What is Information Literacy?

The Association of College and Research Libraries defines IL (Information Literacy) as a “set of skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information."

Information Literacy @ Pitt

    Building on the University of Pittsburgh Student Learning Outcomes, our goal is that all University of Pittsburgh students are capable of:

    • Gathering and evaluating information effectively and appropriately;
    • Identifying information sources appropriate to their discipline;
    • Critically evaluating and incorporating information to address a specific information need;
    • Utilize appropriate information technology;
    • Understand the principle of intellectual property, and the legal and ethical uses of information.
 

How: Collaborating with Faculty

The University Library System (ULS) is interested in partnering with faculty at each campus/department/program level to foster information literacy through a variety of educational approaches. To assist you in this process we have developed:

    • An information literacy rubric citing standards based on the eight skill sets identified by the Standardized  Assessment of Information Literacy Skills (SAILS) test;
    • A process for freshmen and seniors to participate in SAILS testing during the fall and spring terms;
    • A suite of instructional tutorials for students to review or faculty to embed in CourseWeb;
    • Flexibe course-integrated library instruction classes tailored to your classes such as LibGuides;
    • Faculty Toolbox for Information Literacy;
    • Workshops to update you on ULS information literacy instruction and assessment efforts.

How: Scheduling a Library Instruction Session

Faculty are welcome to schedule a library session with their campus librarian. Librarians will work with you to design a session that meets the objective of the class, or craft research assignments that reach the learning outcomes intended for your students.


SAILS Assessments

The University Library System has been utilizing the Standardized Assessment of Information Literacy (SAILS) test to assess students at the University of Pittsburgh since 2008. SAILS is based on the Association of College and Research Libraries’ (ACRL) Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education and Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Results obtained from the SAILS test allow librarians and administrators to reliably determine students' information literacy skills, and provides for both external and internal benchmarking of student skills.

Faculty are encouraged to utilize the SAILS test to determine the information literacy skills of students in their area. Typically the fall SAILS test will begin at the beginning of the fall term. Students access the test through the Pitt portal from any internet connection and complete the test in approximately 35 minutes. A thank you page is generated at the end of the test which can be given to faculty for proof of completion.

For more information contact the SAILS coordinator John Fudrow, visit the SAILS site, or view the online tutorial.   A sample SAILS report (pdf) is available here for informational purposes only.

Need More Information About IL@Pitt?

Contact Marian Hampton, Coordinator of Library Instruction 412-648-7770 or Pat Duck, Coordinator of ULS Regional Libraries.

ULS Library Instruction Feedback Form

Have your recently participated in a library instruction session? We would like your feedback!