First Year Student Library Instruction Programs

For decades, college librarians have worked with faculty to incorporate library instruction into their courses. Yet the degree to which information literacy goals and objectives have been integrated at colleges and universities is not entirely clear. Since so many instruction sessions are incorporated into first year student courses, the survey detailed in this CLIP Note focused on instruction for first year students. How many institutions are offering credit bearing stand-alone courses for first year students? Are library skills an articulated objective or competency in the first year curriculum? How many institutions offer multiple course-related sessions for first year students? The responses to these and other questions are as diverse as the institutions surveyed, revealing that there is no “one size fits all” model program for library instruction. Samples of objectives and competencies, syllabi, assignments, and tutorials are included in this CLIP Note as suggestions for librarians and faculty working together to graduate information literate students.