Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies News

Purdue Libraries Celebrates Information Literacy Month in October

October 1st, 2013

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University Libraries will celebrate Information Literacy Month during the month of October with a variety of educational and awareness initiatives and a culminating Information Literacy Symposium on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at Purdue University featuring Dr. Mary Somerville, University Librarian at the Auraria Library, University of Colorado Denver.

Purdue University Libraries is committed to leading the way in learning and information literacy through a variety of cutting-edge initiatives, including the newly expanded IMPACT program, which helps transform Purdue’s core curriculum to support learners in today’s information-rich environment and enhance student information literacy by advancing educational practice and research.

About Information Literacy

 Information Literacy is a survival skill in the Information Age, according to the American Library Association Presidential Committee on Information Literacy Final Report (1989).

 Instead of drowning in the abundance of information that floods their lives, information literate people know how to find, evaluate, and use information effectively to solve a particular problem or make a decision–whether the information they select comes from a computer, a book, a government agency, a film, or any number of other possible resources.

Libraries, which provide a significant public access point to such information and usually at no cost, must play a key role in preparing people for the demands of today’s information society…

From American Library Association Presidential Committee on Information Literacy Final Report (1989)

About the 5^th Annual Information Literacy Symposium – Oct. 29

In celebration of Information Literacy Month, Purdue University Libraries present: The 5th Information Literacy Research Symposium by Dr. Mary Somerville, University Librarian at the Auraria Library, University of Colorado Denver – “Toward Informed Learning in Professional Practice” on Tuesday, October 29, 2013, Purdue University West Lafayette Campus,  318 Stewart Center.

During the morning presentation, eminent library leader and researcher Dr. Mary Somerville will discuss her research on informed learning.  She will explain how it builds on her experiences as a practitioner/ researcher/leader.  She will reflect on her colleagues’ engagement with informed learning and the implications of informed learning for academic curriculum design.  She will invite questions and comments from the audience members as educators, including a discussion of opportunities to take the ideas presented forward.

The afternoon will consist of a workshop to design an instructional activity or a cross-disciplinary project based on informed learning theory/principles.

PROGRAM:

9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.                  Registration

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.                     Presentation

12 p.m. – 1 p.m.                       Lunch (Purdue Memorial Union Anniversary Drawing Room)

1 pm. – 3 p.m.                         Workshop

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Source:

Sharon Weiner, PhD, W. Booker Chair for Information Literacy, Purdue University Libraries, 765-496-3128, sweiner@purdue.edu

Related Web sites:

Purdue University Libraries/Learning and Information Literacy – www.lib.purdue.edu/infolit

National Forum on Information Literacy – www.infolit.org