Description

Participants in this colloquium gained a greater understanding of what constitutes an information literate person and how information literacy enhances student academic performance while equipping them for success after graduation. The colloquium explores possible curriculum initiatives within a supportive environment, how to define barriers to increased integration of information literacy into the curriculum, and how to devise strategies for overcoming barriers.

The following questions are discussed.

• What information literacy and critical thinking skills must students have in order to be successful in their academic programs and careers?
• From a faculty perspective, what can you contribution toward helping students develop information literacy and critical thinking skills to prepare them for lifelong learning?
• What are the barriers to overcoming the gap between students' actual skills and the skills needed for success at USC and after graduation?
• What are some suggestions for overcoming these barriers?

About the Facilitator

Patricia Senn Breivik is Chair Emeritus at Nehemiah Communications, a company which provides services for nonprofit organizations and small businesses. Previously she served as the Dean of the University Library at San Jose State University. Formerly, she was the Library Dean at Wayne State University for four years, where she served as the chief administrative officer in charge of five University Libraries, Media Services, the University Press, the Library and Information Science Program, the Office for Teaching and Learning, and UGE1000.

She has held numerous administrative positions in her academic career including Associate Vice President for Information Resources at the Towson State University campus of the University of Maryland System, Director of library and telecommunications services at the University of Colorado, at the Auraria campus in Denver, Dean of Library Services at Sangamon State University in Springfield, Illinois, and as Assistant Dean of Pratt Institute, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Brooklyn, New York.

She is a past President of the Association of College & Research Libraries. She is also a frequent speaker and writer on the topic of information literacy and resource-based learning. She co-authored the book, "Information Literacy Revolution in the Library which won the 1990 G.K. Hall Library Literature Award. Her awards and honors include: the Miriam Dudley Instruction Librarian Award (1997), the Pratt Institute Alumni Achievement Award (1995), the American Association of School Librarians Executive Board recognition for special contributions to School Library Media Programs (1992), the American Council on Education Fellows Program in Academic Administration Service Award (1990), and the Columbia University School of Library Service Distinguished Alumni Award (1989).