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A study was undertaken to discover to what extent community college librarians were aware of the American Library Association Committee on Information Literacy Final report and the Association of College and Research Library Information literacy standards for higher education; to what extent they were teaching information literacy to students; which of the recommended competencies they were attempting to teach; and whether this teaching was influenced by demographic variables.

A nationwide survey was conducted of librarians responsible for information literacy instruction. The response rate was 67%, making the results generalizable to the population. Librarians were more aware of the Standards than of the Final report ; they were consciously teaching information literacy at a higher rate in group than in individual sessions with students; they taught each of the five standards of information literacy at different rates. They taught students to access information at a significantly higher rate than any of the other information literacy skills; critical evaluation of information and sources came second, determining the extent of information needed third, acknowledging information sources fourth, and using information for a specific purpose last. The only demographic factor that was shown to affect teaching of information literacy was pedagogical training. It was recommended that more college librarians become familiar with the information literacy standards for higher education and that all five standards of information literacy should be taught. Librarians should be given training in teaching and more time should be afforded to information literacy instruction. Information literacy should be included as a goal in colleges’ outcomes assessment programs and stressed in the curriculum, and pedagogical training included in the library school curriculum.

Stream: Libraries

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Worked in progressively more responsible positions at University of Missouri Ellis Library, St. Louis County (Public) Library; now campus librarian at the Granite City Campus Library of Southwestern Illinois College. Began the College's videotape library and community family literacy programs. Worked for collaborative relationships among three campus libraries and among faculty and staff on this campus and college-wide. Served on many college-wide committees, including Outcomes Assessment Critical Thinking Group. Served as advisor to student honorary society for five years. Professional interests include the teaching of information literacy to college students and community family literacy. Married, one daughter, one son-in-law, one grandson.