Association of College & Research Libraries
50 E. Huron St. Chicago, IL 60611
800-545-2433, ext. 2523
acrl@ala.org, http://www.acrl.org
Advancing the Plan for Excellence
Goal Area Committee Annual Report & Work Plan
Goal Area: Student Learning and Information Literacy
Goal: Librarians transform student learning, pedagogy, and instructional practices through
creative and innovative collaborations.
Committee Name: Student Learning and Information Literacy Committee
Charge/Tasks: To oversee and implement ACRL’s Student Learning Initiative as described in
the strategic plan. Work with the ACRL Board and other ACRL units to create a comprehensive
approach to student learning and information literacy efforts including a) promote and facilitate
professional development, publications, research, and advocacy related to information literacy
and student learning; b) support the development of the ACRL student learning/information
literacy website; and c) monitor and assess the effectiveness of the ACRL Student Learning
Initiative.
Committee leadership
Past Chair: Erin L. Ellis
Current Chair: Kathy L. Magarrell
Incoming Chair/Vice-chair: Carrie Donovan
Board Liaison: Julie Ann Garrison
Staff Liaison: Mary Jane Petrowski
Year-end report written by: Kathy L. Magarrell
Next year work plan submitted by: Carrie Donovan
Year-end Committee Report
General overview of progress by ACRL toward goal.
Thanks to the attention and support from the ACRL Board, we were able to revise our charge to
better reflect our goals, and the Board allowed us to reshape the committee structure in order to
bring SLILC in line with the other two Value committees. One of the most significant changes
was removing the function of SLILC as a “coordinating” committee.
SLILC created subgroups to work on each work plan item according to interest and/or expertise
in area.
Brief environmental scan for this goal area
Focus on student success and extending learning outside the classroom; collaborative, flexible
space for students; focus on collaboration between librarians and other campus partners,
especially those partners who work in the area often called “student life;” increased
interdisciplinary curricula; continued economic pressures; constant need for mobile technology;
enhanced delivery and access to information in a variety of locations, both physical and virtual.
Opportunities and challenges of critical importance for this goal area:
With a totally new structure for the committee that will allow members to focus on the ACRL
Strategic Goal, the work plan for the coming year can be more ambitious.
Twice during the year, SLILC Exec was asked to respond, on behalf of ACRL, regarding the
drafts of high-profile information literacy programs (DQP & IL Framework). The Chair and
Vice-Chair compiled responses that were then sent forward on behalf of the organization. It may
be appropriate to introduce a placeholder into the coming year’s work plan for these kinds of
activities.
Because the student learning and IL goal of the ACRL Strategic Plan was not finalized until midDecember, this will be the committee’s first chance to re-envision its work plan in alignment
with this new goal. We look forward to adjusting the multi-year work plan accordingly.
Objective 1: Build librarian capacity to create new learning environments (physical and
virtual) and instructional practices. [Revised as of 12/13: Identify innovative practices in
learning environments and instruction that enable academic librarians to transform
learning.]
Committee did not identify any activities associated with this objective in this year’s work plan.
Committee will identify activities associated with this objective in the coming year’s work plan.
Objective 2: Articulate and advocate for the role of librarians in setting, achieving, and
measuring institutional learning outcomes.
 Dashboard analysis:
o Green: Good progress is being made on this objective. Work should continue as
described in the multiyear grid
o Yellow: Not progressing as hoped.
o Red: Significant obstacles. Progress halted and Board advice sought.
o Blue: Objective needs serious reconsideration.
Accomplishments.
o Developed ideas for publicizing the IL module of the NSSE to academic
librarians
o Communicated with NSSE researchers
Challenges:
o There does not appear to be enough data from the IL module to do crossinstitutional comparisons yet
o NSSE does not recommend comparing data across modules
Outlook:
o Now knowing what is possible regarding NSSE data and now that there will be
data from the NSSE Information Literacy Module for the first time, the committee
can make more informed and continued progress.
Accomplishments.
o Accreditation self-studies
o Identified colleagues who are willing to be a resource for others going through the
accreditation process
o Compiled a list of resources that could serve as a beginning set of resources for
academic librarians who are contributing to their institutions accreditation process
o Resource list ready to be added to the ACRL IL web pages
Challenges:
o There were some challenges in locating accreditation reports online, especially
those that outline documenting and reporting IL initiatives.
Outlook:
o It is very likely that the committee will continue this work next year. With the
enhanced access to the web content by the SLILC Web Master, there are no
additional barriers to providing the results of this work to ACRL via our web site.
Objective 3: Increase collaborative programs that leverage partnerships with other
organizations in order to support and encourage local and national team approaches.
[Revised 12/13 Increase partnerships with other organizations to advance the impact of IL
on student learning.]
 Dashboard analysis:
o Green: Good progress is being made on this objective. Work should continue as
described in the multiyear grid
o Yellow: Not progressing as hoped.
o Red: Significant obstacles. Progress halted and Board advice sought.
o Blue: Objective needs serious reconsideration.
Accomplishments
o Met with relevant groups (ALSIG) to discuss potential for collaborative initiatives
with NAFSA
o Reviewed content of online NAFSA manual
o Began contacting Study Abroad programs on our local campuses to see if and
what collaborative initiatives are in place
Challenges:
o The success of this goal hinges on the interest of NAFSA
Outlook:
o If the committee continues this goal, it will likely be an action item to happen via
established ACRL Channels (i.e. ACRL Liaisons Assembly) in order to
strengthen the case for collaboration around information literacy issues/topics.
Objective 4: Build capacity for the librarians’ role in supporting faculty development and
the preparation of graduate students as instructors. [Revised 12/13 Build capacity for the
librarians’ role in supporting faculty and future faculty as they work to develop
information literate students.]
Dashboard analysis:
o Green: Good progress is being made on this objective. Work should continue as
described in the multiyear grid
o Yellow: Not progressing as hoped.
o Red: Significant obstacles. Progress halted and Board advice sought.
o Blue: Objective needs serious reconsideration.
Accomplishments.
Planning stages for highlighting librarians’ roles in High Impact Practices (as defined
by the AACU): creating a tool-kit to help identify and facilitate the librarians’ roles in
high-impact practices on our campuses. Creating a survey or environmental scan to
collect data (SLILC could partner with ACRL Trends & Statistics Survey Board);
SLILC is looking into hosting an open discussion on this topic either at a future
conference or an online session.
Outlook.
It is very likely that the committee will make progress on this goal
Reflecting on the year
What worked well?
Many opportunities for communication with the Board at conferences and SPOS; conference call
between ACRL staff, Board Liaisons and webmaster to discuss website issues, discuss priorities
and possibilities for streamlining workflow. A combination of these conversations and the hard
work and dedication of the website committee and the editor resulted in its own list of
accomplishments that will benefit the organization.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Established a communication and coordination plan with the Immersion Committee
Finalized layout and top-level structure for the main IL page
Worked with the website group of ACRL to establish responsibilities and permissions
Created Zotero library to replace bibliographies
Created Google calendar for IL related events
Identified images for the main IL page
Worked to create a more dynamic display of the Peer Consultant Databases
Board provided support and guidance in restructuring the committee
Communication between chair and vice-chair
Formation of subgroups to work on objectives according to interest and/or expertise
in area
What could have worked better?
o There is nothing in ALA Connect that we know of that allows us to set up taskoriented subgroups for working on aspects of our work plan, so we did this all via email. (Unfortunately, there was one person who did not receive messages through
Connect and never knew she was on the committee!]
o There didn’t appear to be a lot of communication between the arm of ACRL that is
responsible for the web content and the IT arm responsible for maintaining the
backend of the site. It seems like there is no effective way for subdivisions or interest
groups to drive innovation, especially if they have no budget to work with.
Association of College & Research Libraries
50 E. Huron St. Chicago, IL 60611
800-545-2433, ext. 2523
acrl@ala.org, http://www.acrl.org
Advancing the Plan for Excellence
Goal Area Committee Work Plan
Activity/Project Name: Librarians & Information Literacy as Part of Institutional Accreditation
Select the single best connection to the ACRL Plan for Excellence and provide a brief sentence
connecting your project to the Plan.
Student Learning
Objectives: 1 2 3 4 5
Description of connection to specific objective: Locate and provide access to self-studies of
colleges and universities as a means of creating a set of resources and examples for
instruction librarians preparing to document and report information literacy initiatives as part
of an institutional accreditation process.
Timeline: multi-year project (expected completion date: Spring 2015)
Outline the steps and intermediate deadlines planned to complete the project.
Party
Resources
Specific Action
Due Date
Responsible
Needed
Review accreditation websites to locate/identify
Spring 2014 SLILC
None
self-studies that meet the Educational Role criteria.
Begin contacting recently accredited libraries
Summer
SLILC
None
(especially those who have gone through *new*
2014
processes/cycles) and ask for self-studies as they
relate to the ER.
Include relevant information (e.g. librarian contacts, Fall 2014
SLILC
None
links to public self-studies, etc.) in the ACRL
Information Literacy web pages.
Identify committees, sections, or interest groups
Fall 2014
SLILC
None
within ACRL or ALA who would be important
partners, supporters, or collaborators in this
endeavor.
Publicize resources via relevant channels and ACRL
Spring 2015 SLILC
None
communications.
Assessment: How will success be measured? The necessary information is gathered, reported, and
maintained on the ACRL web site. Librarian involvement in campus accreditation or example selfstudies are reported coming about as a result of these resources.
Activity/Project Name: Preparing Future Faculty to Be Information Literacy Advocates & Educators
Select the single best connection to the ACRL Plan for Excellence and provide a brief sentence
connecting your project to the Plan.
Student Learning
Objectives: 1 2 3 4 5
Description of connection to specific objective: With the goal of developing awareness and value of
information literacy education among graduate students who will then become advocates for IL as
faculty, potentially. The committee will look for models of educative programs and best
practices/communities of practice that focus on librarians working with graduate students on
pedagogical issues, and that emphasize the integration of information literacy in the curriculum.
Timeline:
continuous project assigned in charge
Outline the steps and intermediate deadlines planned to complete the project.
Party
Resources
Specific Action
Due Date
Responsible
Needed
Investigate programs of excellence at colleges and
Fall 2014
SLILC
None
universities in the U.S.
Create and conduct survey to be administered to
Spring 2015 SLILC
None
graduate student instructors in order to find out
specific areas of desired support related to
information literacy.
Based on findings, create a tool-kit/spec-kit for
Fall 2015
SLILC
None
graduate student instructors. (The kit would be
available on the ACRL Information Literacy web site).
Propose ACRL 2015 Poster Session on this topic.
November
SLILC
None
2014
Assessment: Survey grad students in participating institutions to determine effectiveness of ACRL
support. Monitor downloads/access of spec-kit.
Activity/Project Name: High-Impact Practices & Information Literacy
Select the single best connection to the ACRL Plan for Excellence and provide a brief sentence
connecting your project to the Plan.
Student Learning
Objectives: 1 2 3 4 5
Description of connection to specific objective: The draft Information Literacy Framework
defines information literacy as experiences, knowledge, and capacities that can be developed
in and beyond the classroom. Investigating and capitalizing on opportunities for connecting
information literacy to service learning, study abroad, and other co-curricular activities will be
important for ACRL membership.
Timeline:
short-term project that will be completed this membership year
Outline the steps and intermediate deadlines planned to complete the project.
Party
Resources
Specific Action
Due Date
Responsible
Needed
Build on SLILC 2013/2014 work in investigating HIPs
Fall
SLILC
None
and the potential for librarians’ contribution to these. 2014/Spring
2015
Consider opportunities for ways that SLILC can
Fall
SLILC
None
highlight librarian interventions/support for HIPs (e.g. 2014/Spring
conference program proposals, ACRL News article,
2015
ACRL Webinar, ACRL Trends & Statistics Survey,
sponsoring an open discussion [online or at
conference], etc.).
Draft formal proposal for committee action to
highlight and publicize librarians’ role in HIPs
Propose ACRL 2015 Poster Session on this topic.
Spring 2015
SLILC
None
November
2014
Spring 2015
SLILC
None
Draft a submission for the ACRL Insider blog or C&RL
SLILC
None
News article on this topic and our findings.
Assessment: How will success be measured? A public event or publicity results from these actions and
is communicated to the ACRL community in order to incite professional engagement and interest
around this topic.
Activity/Project Name: ACRL Information Literacy Web Site Development
Select the single best connection to the ACRL Plan for Excellence and provide a brief sentence
connecting your project to the Plan.
Student Learning
Objectives: 1 2 3 4 5
Description of connection to specific objective: Lead and oversee the development of content for the
ACRL Information Literacy web site regarding all aspects of the Student Learning Objectives from the
Plan for Excellence. With the goal of creating and maintaining responsive, dynamic, well-structured
content that serves as an important resources for librarians engaged in information literacy.
Timeline:
continuous project assigned in charge
Outline the steps and intermediate deadlines planned to complete the project.
Due
Party
Resources
Specific Action
Date Responsible Needed
Establish a calendar of IL-related events that is updated
Fall
SLILC
None
regularly.
2014
Webmaster
Update content based on changes resulting from the IL
Fall
SLILC
None
Framework.
2014
Webmaster
Develop dynamic display for peer development directory and
Spring SLILC
None
contact list of librarians with experience in accreditation.
2015
Webmaster
Create and maintain among the committee members a shared Fall
SLILC
None
list of web content projects, their owners, who updates the
2014
content, and how regularly they should be updated as a means
of tracking and managing projects by the Web Master.
Assessment: Relevant pages are accessible and editable by the webmaster.
Activity/Project Name: Information Literacy Peer Consultant Directory
Select the single best connection to the ACRL Plan for Excellence and provide a brief sentence
connecting your project to the Plan.
Student Learning
Objectives: 1 2 3 4 5
Description of connection to specific objective: Providing access to a directory of librarians and their
areas of expertise related to information literacy will encourage connections and facilitate contacts
between librarians hoping to learn and their more experienced colleagues.
Timeline:
continuous project assigned in charge
Outline the steps and intermediate deadlines planned to complete the project.
Party
Resources
Specific Action
Due Date
Responsible Needed
Update online submission form (via Dawn Mueller
dmueller@ala.org) with the SLILC Chair’s name and email
address.
Update directory as submissions are received, with the
assistance of the Webmaster.
Send e-mails to current peer consultants asking them to
update their information
Send e-mails to list-servs and other relevant places
asking people to sign up as peer consultants
Fall 2014
SLILC
None
ongoing
SLILC
None
Fall 2014
SLILC
None
Fall
2014/Spring
2015
Fall
SLILC
2014/Spring
2015
Investigate opportunities for moving this content into a
None
wiki format or expanding it to all three goal-area
committees as a means of pulling together names of
presenters + areas of expertise into one place that would
be maintained by ACRL staff.
Assessment: The directory is transformed into a searchable database and is used regularly. The
directory is migrated to a new format or new procedures that do not require regular maintenance
and updates by SLILC.
Activity/Project Name: Annual Project on Pedagogical Innovation: 2014/2015 Topic - Digital Badges
Select the single best connection to the ACRL Plan for Excellence and provide a brief sentence
connecting your project to the Plan.
Student Learning
Objectives: 1 2 3 4 5
Description of connection to specific objective: Information literacy is set of concepts and
abilities that transcends disciplinary boundaries and is often learned beyond the traditional
context of credit-bearing courses. Capitalizing on emerging innovations, such as digital
credentialing or “badging”, librarians can establish means of measuring and documenting
student learning so that it is recognizable at the institution-level and valued by students.
Timeline:
short-term project that will be completed this membership year
Outline the steps and intermediate deadlines planned to complete the project.
Party
Resources
Specific Action
Due Date
Responsible
Needed
Identify librarian leaders in the digital badging
Fall 2014
SLILC
None
movement
Invite leaders to develop an online learning experience
Spring 2015 SLILC
None
(i.e. webcast) for ACRL membership
Partner with the ACRL Instruction Session to plan
Fall
SLILC
None
professional development opportunities on this topic
2014/Spring
2015
Assessment: How will success be measured? Raised awareness of Digital Badges among ACRL
member librarians.
Activity/Project Name: Transition to Information Literacy Framework (pending Board approval)
Select the single best connection to the ACRL Plan for Excellence and provide a brief sentence
connecting your project to the Plan.
Student Learning
Objectives: 1 2 3 4 5
Description of connection to specific objective: With the new philosophies, methods, and
activities that are emerging around the draft Information Literacy Framework, the
opportunities for librarians to re-energize their teaching and reconceive of their educational
roles are boundless. If the Framework is approved, SLILC will have an important role in
developing a plan for preparing librarians to understand this movement and implement it at
their libraries and on their campuses.
Timeline:
short-term project that will be completed this membership year
Outline the steps and intermediate deadlines planned to complete the project.
Party
Resources
Specific Action
Due Date
Responsible
Needed
Support development of ideas for disciplinary
Fall
SLILC
None
approaches (replacing the discipline-specific standards) 2014/Spring
for the IL Framework.
2015
Develop “Roadshows,” pilot projects, or other on-site
Fall
SLILC
None
learning opportunity to support librarians’ transition to
2014/Spring
the Information Literacy Framework.
2015
Work with transition committee on IL Framework to
Fall
SLILC
None
establish approach for outreach to higher education
2014/Spring
organizations regarding these changes.
2015
Assessment: How will success be measured? The development of a plan for raised awareness of the
Information Literacy Framework and increased understanding of how to implement it amongst
instruction librarians.
Activity/Project Name: Collaborations & Connections to Extend ACRL’s Influence on Information
Literacy
Select the single best connection to the ACRL Plan for Excellence and provide a brief sentence
connecting your project to the Plan.
Student Learning
Objectives: 1 2 3 4 5
Description of connection to specific objective: SLILC will establish partnerships that ensure
the broadening influence of information literacy and its inclusion into a variety of initiatives
both in and beyond ACRL.
Timeline:
short-term project that will be completed this membership year
Outline the steps and intermediate deadlines planned to complete the project.
Party
Resources
Specific Action
Due Date
Responsible
Needed
Reach out to the Information Literacy & Scholarly
Fall
SLILC
None
Communications Task Force (Joyce Ogburn) regarding
2014/Spring
the publicity of their white paper
2015
Develop collaborative project with the AASL/ACRL
Fall
SLILC
None
Interdivisional Committee on Information Literacy on
2014/Spring
the topic of information literacy across the K-20
2015
continuum
Collaborate with the ELI/ACRL Liaison (Sarah McDaniel)
Fall
SLILC
None
to influence the leadership and learning agenda of
2014/Spring
Educause Learning Initiative
2015
Support the work of the CJCLS Committee (Julie Todaro) Fall
SLILC
None
on the development of information literacy questions
2014/Spring
for the Community College Survey of Student
2015
Engagement (CCSSE)
Partner with researchers from the National Survey of
Fall
SLILC
None
Student Engagement (NSSE) to obtain data from the
2014/Spring
first full administration of the Information Literacy
2015
Module and conduct an analysis of the data
Reach out to the ACRL Liaison Assembly to advocate for Fall
a liaison appointment to NAFSA in order to further
2014/Spring
integrate information literacy into international
2015
education
Assessment: How will success be measured? Fruitful partnerships are established and result in
collaborative projects to further ACRL’s information literacy goals.