The Leatherby Libraries is excited to announce that a team of librarians has updated the materials used by librarians to teach information literacy in Chapman University’s First-Year Focus Courses (FFCs). These changes have been made with a focus on the fact that now, more than ever, students face a world of easy access to endless amounts of (often questionable) information sources, and here at Chapman University, we aim to give all of our students the tools needed to navigate this new world of overabundant information.

The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) defines information literacy as follows:

Information literacy is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning.

The updates to the Leatherby Libraries FFC instruction also reflect the shift that Chapman has made to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The instruction has been set up as a series of six Canvas modules, which will be required for students enrolled in all FFC courses. In addition to the modules, most FFC sections also have a date scheduled for a virtual session with a librarian.

What to expect from the Canvas modules:

Many thanks to the committee of librarians who developed the new curriculum: Taylor Greene, Rand Boyd, David Carson, Doug Dechow, Lauren Dubell, Kristin Laughtin-Dunker, Essraa Nawar, Margaret Puentes, and Ivan Portillo.

For more information, contact Chair of Instructional Services Taylor Greene.