Achieving Information Literacy

Proposal to the University for an Information Literacy Program (July 2000)

It is proposed that the ILP be centrally managed, but as far as possible delivered in a devolved manner. It is important to recognise that people learn in different ways and have constraints on their time, and provide a mix of learning opportunities which recognises these differences. Therefore the program will include: travelling trainers who visit Schools, Faculties, Centres and Divisions for small group and one-on-one training, information literacy elements incorporated into the undergraduate curricula, on-line modules for IT and Information Literacy, and help services available in Library buildings, through the web, telephone and email.

The Working Group is convinced that a centrally-located computer learning learning facility, for small group training of staff and postgraduate students, is necessary. This facility would serve additional purposes besides IT and Information Literacy training eg. ESP training, HR including OH&S training, and specialised needs of other areas. The opportunity to link with activities of the Scholarly Technology Services in providing a 'drop in' centre for individual assistance for staff should be explored. Integration of services should be considered with other projected facilities on campus such as an identified Information Commons facility so that maximum utilisation of staff and resources in one physical location is achieved.

While many of the planned initiatives address the needs of both staff and students, the delivery and funding models for staff and students are in many respects different. Therefore this proposal identifies three elements of the program:

• infrastructure and generic programs;
• program for students;
• program for staff.

In the implementation of the ILP there will be recognition of particular needs of sub-groups eg. coursework and research postgraduate students, undergraduate students in a disciplinary context, staff who have administrative or web publishing roles roles and so on.

It will be the task of the Information Literacy Program (ILP) to determine, according to agreed principles, where generic services or training are applicable and where they are not. In the latter case the ILP will work with Schools, Faculties and other areas, within agreed guidelines and available resources.