ACRL seeks feedback on draft Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education

CHICAGO – The Association of College and Research Libraries’ (ACRL) Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education Task Force seeks feedback on the initial draft of the association’s Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.

The Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education, adopted by ACRL in 2000, have become an essential document related to the emergence of information literacy as a recognized learning outcome at many institutions of higher education. These, like all ACRL standards, are reviewed cyclically. In June 2012, the ACRL Board of Directors approved a unanimous recommendation that they be significantly revised. A task force charged with creating the Framework has been working since March 2013.

Since the publication of the first standards, the information environment has evolved into a fragmented, complex information ecosystem that demands greater sense-making and metacognition from the student. To better equip students to navigate, understand and contribute in this dynamic information ecosystem, the task force determined that a move from the traditional standards model to a Framework was needed to allow for more creative and integrated information literacy learning outcomes. The new Framework seeks to address the interconnected nature of the abilities, practices and dispositions of the student, moving away from the hierarchical and formulaic approach of the current standards.

The first part of the initial draft of the new Framework, available now on the task force website, includes an introduction, three threshold concepts, a glossary and a bibliography. The second part of the initial draft, slated for release in April 2014, will include additional threshold concepts and sample scenarios. An online forum soliciting additional input on the draft will be held in April 2014. A second, revised draft of the Framework, incorporating comments received on the initial draft, will be released in June 2014, followed by hearings at the 2014 ALA Annual Conference in Las Vegas and online.

The initial draft Framework, along with additional information and questions to guide the review and feedback process, is now available on the task force website. Please provide feedback on the two parts of the draft by 5 p.m. Central on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, via the form at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JCVY3GW.

Contact ACRL Senior Strategist for Special Initiatives Kara Malenfant with questions.

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The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) is the higher education association for librarians. Representing more than 11,500 academic and research librarians and interested individuals, ACRL (a division of the American Library Association) is the only individual membership organization in North America that develops programs, products and services to help academic and research librarians learn, innovate and lead within the academic community. Founded in 1940, ACRL is committed to advancing learning and transforming scholarship. ACRL is on the Web at www.acrl.org/, Facebook at www.facebook.com/ala.acrl and Twitter at @ala_acrl.