Developing an Information Literacy Program K-12 [With CDROM]

VOYA

The first edition of this book (1998/VOYA August 1999) is a treasure, but this expanded revision is equally valuable. The objective of the information literacy curriculum of the authoring school district is collaboration between media specialists and classroom teachers. It is the practical manual for instituting the practices that the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), advocates through Information Power (ALA, 1998/VOYA August 1999). This second edition is organized by the five-step process that the district uses for research. Within that information literacy model, the librarian has the opportunity to teach everything from use of the library catalog and other electronic databases to selecting a good book to read for pleasure. Lessons are now included about accessing and assessing Internet sites. A major challenge for a teacher of research skills is imparting the ability to evaluate resources. Although it used to be the purview of college professors to train students to question their resources, typically books and periodicals, now teachers in middle school must lead students to question how they know a given Web site is reliable. The district has added lessons on note taking; extracting information without plagiarizing is an essential skill. There is even a nod to independent reading for pleasure because a good reader is more likely to be a successful researcher. A helpful organizational feature is the addition of text boxes that say exactly which information literacy standards are being taught and at what level, as well as other text boxes that keep track of exactly where the user is in the five steps, keeping clearwhat grade level is accomplishing which skill with a given lesson. But what if your district uses The Big Six? Or the elaborate twelve? Or twenty-five steps to perfect papers? What if they do Iowa and you do Ohio? Although it is specific for the curriculum and resources used by the Iowa City Community School District, this book and its accompanying Microsoft-based CD are easily adapted to the needs of any teacher and student doing research. The diagrams, lessons, and presentations are there, digitally ready to be modified to fit individual needs. Use their framework and fill in a specific curriculum, or tug and pull at the framework itself until it does what is needed. The manual will be dog-eared, and the CD will make its home in or near the computer. The superb organization and content of both make them infinitely useful. 2004, Neal-Schuman, 432p.; Index. Illus. Biblio., pb. Ages adult professional.
—Lynne Hawkins

School Library Journal

This document is a testament to the value that the Iowa City Community School District places on libraries. The underlying philosophy emphasizes information-literacy programs presented in collaboration with classroom teachers. This new edition recognizes the impact of Information Power (ALA, 1998), the No Child Left Behind legislation, and the "increasing prevalence of Internet access in schools" on the library landscape. The first two sections present the district's philosophy and model. Part III includes specific lessons, recognizing that library media specialists need not only to provide tools for information literacy, but also to help students develop strategies for finding information and assessment. An accompanying CD has visuals, PowerPoint presentations, evaluations, and activities. New to this edition is the fourth section, which offers sample units that outline questions, objectives, instruction, strategies, and assessment. Bibliographies have been updated. This is a great resource, appropriate for an entire district, but certainly useful in individual schools. Library media specialists struggling to follow a traditional library program will find inspiration with the information-literacy approach. The succinct and accurate outlines of "Library Media Program Standards" and "Library Benchmarks for Student Learning" are especially valuable.-Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.