Purpose:

Our library assessment plan is a structured, ongoing process. It is used to better understand and serve our communities by responding to the needs of our users. We will do this through maintaining and improving our Information Literacy Program and services. Our purpose is to increase student learning, to strengthen our Information Literacy Program, and to answer our call for accountability. It will also be used to help “tell the story” of information literacy learning, as well as, initiate and maintain an ongoing discussion of student learning with the CSB and SJU community.

Theory:

Our library assessment is demonstrated through three different theories. Currently our assessment is focused on “Assessment for learning theory”, but over the next few years we will move to “Assessment as learning” then to “Assessment as learning to teach”.

1. 1. Assessment for learning theory states that good teaching is inseparable from good assessment. Assessments are the tools for learning, and students will learn by completing a form of assessment.
   2. Assessment as learning theory suggests that connections between teaching and assessment can lead to a substantial increase in instructional effectiveness by helping students learn how to learn.
   3. Assessment as learning to teach theory asserts that the practice of focusing on student learning goals and outcomes, assessing student attainment of learning outcomes, and implementing instructional changes to increase student learning leads to the ongoing improvement of librarian teaching skills. (Oakleaf, 2009, pg. 81-82)

Structures & Resources:

Our Information Literacy Program assessment involves all the teaching librarians. All members, at some point, will assess our learning outcomes. Other assessment will be done by creating a small committee of volunteers. The Information Literacy Librarian will be the coordinator of all assessment activity. Resources (for example, consultants, assessment management packages, etc.) will be requested by the Information Literacy Librarian to the Library Director if/when needed.

Goals of Information Literacy Program Assessment:

1. 1. • Continue discussions with faculty regarding the importance of information literacy.
      • Demonstrate impact on student learning.
      • Help faculty to incorporate the libraries Learning Outcomes within their courses.
      • Work with the FYS Director and others who have a stake in information literacy.
      • Be responsive to our findings.

Oakleaf, Megan. 2009. “Writing Information Literacy Assessment Plans.” Communications in Information Literacy 3, no. 2:80-89.