Information Literacy
developments at Tallinn
University of Technology
Library
Gerda Koidla
Deputy Director, TUT Library
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
Mission
The teaching library mission
is to ensure that all graduates of the
university are familiar with the information
resources and tools in their respective
fields of study, trained in their effective
use, and prepared to conduct a search
for information resources in any field of
inquiry.
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
The purpose of the development of user
training is to make user training
systematic and regular activity and to
develop an integrated user training
service.
In the university information literacy
should be approached in a integrated
way, institution-wide, cross-faculty
collaborated, user-centred and librarycoordinated .
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
Information Literacy (IL)
In the library and information studies field
the following IL definition is used primarily
„IL is the ability to
recognize when
information is needed and
have the ability to locate,
evaluate and use
effectively the needed
information“
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
• Information literacy education has
long-term traditions at TUT Library.
We have managed to deliver
continuous library user training for over
50 years.
• Training information skills is a major
part of the work of our subject
librarians of information services
department.
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
Library user education is delivered in
various ways:
• via e-courses,
• blended courses,
• traditional courses,
• workshops
The use of e-tools in library education is
increasing every year.
The library offers IL courses for different
user groups:
• new students,
• international students,
• bachelor and master students,
• academic staff.
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
Information Literacy courses
Blended (Mixed) IL course
„Generic information skills“ for all incoming firstyear students is embedded into academic
curriculum programme UTT0010 „Organization
of Studies“ as part of the obligatory course,
gives 1,0 credit points. 1300-1400 first-year
students pass the course every year.
In 2010 our subject librarians created two
interactive e-learning objects under the elearning programme BeST:
“How to use library check-in and check-out
machines“ and „How to use e-catalogue ESTER“
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
Information Literacy courses
E-learning IL courses in Moodle
„Specialized Information Retrieval in
Chemistry and Materials Technology“
KYF0100 for 2nd year bachelor
students of Chemical and Materials
Technology curriculum Chemical and
Environmental Technology curriculum
and Technology of Materials
stationary students and
correspondence students master
study,
104 hour course, which gives 4,0 EAP
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
Information Literacy courses
„Chemical Information“ KYF3630 for 1st
year bachelor students of Science
curriculum Applied Chemistry and
Biotechnology,
104 hour course, gives 4,0 EAP
(Moodle platform is used since 2010. WebCT
and some-made software were used before)
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
Chemical Information KYF3630
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
IL workshops
In co-operation with faculties and
institutions:
- „Specialized information retrieval“ for
doctoral students in Economics, Mechanics,
Humanities
- „Information sources and information
retrieval“ for bachelor and master students in
co-operation with specific faculty
- „Introduction to studies: generic information
search skills“+ library tour for foreign
students in co-operation with IRO
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
IL courses on request
Training courses on request:
„Electronic information sources: database
searching“ for academic staff
„TUT library information sources“
for external users
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
Some of the traditional IL courses are
included in academic curricula as a part
of some other subject.
Sources of funding for educational
activities organized by library are coming
from the budget of the library, parent
university, external sources (grants)
Year 2011 in user education – 940 hours
of user training sessions with 2295
participants
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
Future developments in IL
• The increasing need for English
language courses in searching scientific
information in TUT.
Rapid growth of the number of foreign
students at our university.
% from total number of students - 4,9.
• More e-learning IL courses for different
user groups using Moodel platform
• Continuing professional development of
our subject librarians
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
The exponential growth of use of social
networks and online communities offers
the potential to develop individualized
learning using the blending of formal and
informal learning through an electronic
medium.
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library
Thank You!
International Week 2012, March 19-23, TUT Library