Information Literacy Instruction That Works

by Patrick Ragains

Information literacy and library instruction are at the heart of the academic library’s mission. But how do you bring that instruction to an increasingly diverse student body and an increasingly varied spectrum of majors? In this updated, expanded new second edition, featuring more than 75% new content, Ragains and 16 other library instructors share their best practices for reaching out to today’s unique users. Readers will find strategies and techniques for teaching college and university freshmen, community college students, students with disabilities, and those in distance learning programs. Alongside sample lesson plans, presentations, brochures, worksheets, handouts, and evaluation forms, Ragains and his contributors offer proven approaches to teaching students in the most popular programs of study, English Literature, Art and Art History, Film Studies, History, Psychology, Science, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Hospitality, Business, Music, Anthropology, and Engineering. Coverage of additional special topic, including legal information for non-law students, government information, and patent searching, make this a complete guide to information literacy instruction.

Genres: Librarianship

Unknown Binding

First published June 24, 2013

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second of the books on library instruction that I am reading for work. In this particular volume, each chapter covers a specific topic and is written by an expert in that bit of librarianship. Thus, I did not read the whole book, just the sections that were relevant to the work I will be doing in the fall: planning instruction session, faculty collaborations, teaching undergraduates, teaching students with disabilities, online and distance learning, and the section on instruction for music programs.
Information Literacy Instruction That Works is very practical and direct, concentrating on what to do and how to do it rather than educational theory. There are lots of sample lesson plans, syllabi, etc, which is perfect for me, as I often do well with an example to work from. All of the chapters I read were very clearly written and well organized. I especially liked the annotated list of resources in the music section, and the excellent coverage of some of the unique aspects of music materials. I will likely be referring to this book as I delve more into doing library instruction.

[Catie Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that I would recommend any instruction librarian keeping handy on hir bookshelf. It provides helpful lessons and advise for diverse subjects and diverse populations. It is not necessarily a book you will want to sit down and read at once, but rather one to keep handy for when you are asked to visit a class that you are not as well versed in the subject matter.