From Insidehighered.com: Research Methods 'Beyond Google'

This is an interesting article about the need for information literacy integration across the curriculum and the techniques a few colleges and universities are using to make it happen. Especially interesting is the Cornell Undergraduate Information Competency Initiative.

Follow Up Information about NJAC Title 9A (from May Discussion)

From Laura Gewissler:

The following is excerpted from NJAC Title 9A: Higher Education posted on the Commission of Higher Education web site under regulatory postings: http://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/PDFs/Licensure_Mar08.pdf
See section 9A: 1- 1.9 (pages 7 & 8) for the changes proposed for August 2008. Bolded sections are the proposed changes.

Excerpts:
9A:1-1.9 Library
(a) At its most elementary level, the collegiate teaching and learning process cannot proceed effectively without the essential services, collections, computerized network access, and other resources that are provided and administered by an institution's library. For this reason, much emphasis is placed upon the adequacy of the library, its collections, and its staffing. In the 21st century, emphasis is also placed on information literacy for all students.
(b) Qualified library professionals, librarians, and support personnel in numbers sufficient to serve the needs of students and faculty shall staff the institution's library. Every institution, regardless of enrollment or number of academic offerings, shall provide access to at least one qualified library professional with the exception of institutions whose library collection is primarily in a language or languages other than English. Institutions whose collection is primarily in a language or languages other than English shall provide access to a qualified library professional, a librarian, or an individual qualified by way of disciplinary expertise (for example, an earned doctorate, extensive study in the discipline, demonstrated scholarly production, etc.). Each curricular area of the institution
should have a library liaison assigned who serves as that department or program's connection to library and research services. [There shall be an annual acquisition of books, journals, and other library materials, including software; appropriate systems for computerized access to other libraries' collections and to materials such as databases; and evidence of effective use of library resources by students and faculty.]
(c) (No change.)
(d) An institution shall demonstrate the development and maintenance of a collection that reflects and supports the curriculum. An institution should compile acquisition and classification data, documenting collection strengths and weaknesses, and have in place a plan to maintain strengths and remedy weaknesses though a combination of physical, virtual, and consortia materials. Institutions are advised to consult the Association of College and Research Libraries "RCL: Resources for College Libraries" or other recognized sources for core collection development.
(e) There shall be a program for continuous acquisition of materials including books, journals, databases, and other instructional materials.
(f) The institution shall catalog and maintain all library holdings appropriately, including providing a protective environment for its physical library material that adequately protects the collection from deterioration and damage.
(g) The institution shall provide clear and consistent methods for on-campus and remote access to electronic resources, and there shall be communication of that information to students in a manner to minimize barriers to usage. To the extent possible at individual institutions, there should be a consistent method for ensuring that electronic resources are archived so that access is possible for virtual library content over time.
(h) The institution shall document evidence of library education programming that encompasses both physical and virtual collections, and the existence of a plan to assess and document effective use of library resources by students and faculty.
(i) An institution should utilize library representatives in the curriculum development process to inform the administration of the library's ability to offer adequate support for materials and library education.
Page 8
40 N.J.R. 969(a)
(j) An institution may enter into contract with another library or libraries for the provision of collections and services, physical or virtual. Institutions shall demonstrate that the collections are appropriate for the curriculum of the institution, that students have convenient access to contracted library services, that there is adequate library instruction provided to students to use effectively the services of the contracted library, and that there are qualified library professionals or librarians available to assist students. The institution shall retain full responsibility for adequacy of resources available to students. Institutions are encouraged to participate in appropriate consortia that allow them to expand and more effectively deliver information resources and services.
(k) An institution shall have in place a plan that articulates how students will obtain information literacy skills as they progress through the curriculum. The plan shall identify outcomes for information literacy skill development, and how those outcomes are measured and assessed. Institutions are encouraged to use a combination of assessment methods to include formal testing, development of student portfolios, examination of research papers bibliographies, and/or other means. Institutions may use either a compartmentalized, or distributed, method of library education, or some combination that meets the needs of the institution. An institution shall provide evidence
of faculty and administrator involvement in the development, implementation and operationalization of
the information literacy plan. The institution has the responsibility, through its library or though other appropriate means, to make the information literacy plan available to the learning community. Within three years of initial licensure, an institution shall document how students are achieving information literacy outcomes.