Situating information literacy in the disciplines: A practical and systematic approach for academic librarians
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to consider the current barriers to situating in the disciplines and to offer a possible strategy for so doing.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews current challenges facing librarians who seek to situate information literacy in the disciplines and offers and practical model for those wishing to do so. Phenomenographic evidence from disciplinary faculty focus groups is presented in the context of the model put forward.
Findings
Disciplinary faculty do not have generic conceptions of information literacy but rather understand information-related behaviors as part of embodied disciplinary practice.
Practical implications
Librarians dissatisfied with traditional forms of generic information literacy instruction marketing will find a method by which to place ownership on information literacy in the hands of disciplinary faculty.
Originality/value
The article offers a unique analysis of the challenges facing current information literacy specialists and a new approach for integrating information literacy in the disciplines.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Robert Farrell would like to acknowledge the contributions of CUNY LILAC members to this project, particularly the efforts of the most recent members and associate members of LILAC’s Articulation Subcommittee (Jonathan Cope, Julia Furay, Jesus Sanabria, Shawnta Smith-Cruz, and Amy Stempler). He would also like to acknowledge Curtis Kendrick, University Dean for Libraries and Information Resources, for his long-standing support of LILAC and its work.
Citation
Farrell, R. and Badke, W. (2015), "Situating information literacy in the disciplines: A practical and systematic approach for academic librarians", Reference Services Review, Vol. 43 No. 2, pp. 319-340. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-11-2014-0052
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited