Note: ACRL Information Literacy Standards appear in bold-face type, followed by the recommended goals for Stevenson students.

The information literate student determines the nature and extent of the information needed.

The first-year student recognizes the value of information and how it is organized through the introduction to the research process.

The intermediate level student confidently approaches the research process, plans and executes a strategy, and demonstrates a growing appreciation for discipline-specific methods and information resources.

The upper level student creates and refines a realistic research plan to identify and retrieve appropriate sources from the full range of discipline-specific literature.

Standard 2

The information literate student accesses needed information effectively and efficiently.

The first-year student demonstrates a basic understanding of available library services and search tools.

The intermediate level student accesses both multidisciplinary and subject-specific search tools and applies appropriate search strategies.

The upper level student demonstrates a thorough understanding of subject-specific resources and applies a sophisticated search strategy to a variety of search tools and interfaces.

Standard 3

The information literate student evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system.

The first-year student recognizes the need to evaluate information sources.

The intermediate level student demonstrates a growing ability to critically evaluate retrieved sources and to determine if the information meets the needs of the research problem.

The upper level student critically reads and evaluates sources within the context of the discipline and selects the most appropriate information to support or refine the research goal.

Standard 4

The information literate student, individually or as a member of a group, uses information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose.

The first-year student gathers and uses information to complete course assignments.

The intermediate level student demonstrates a growing ability to organize, integrate, and communicate information from a variety of sources to create an end product.

The upper level student creates an effective end product that demonstrates an ability to organize, integrate and communicate information from a variety of sources and formats.

Standard 5

The information literate student understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses information ethically and legally.

The first-year student demonstrates a basic understanding of plagiarism and documentation of sources.

The intermediate level student is conscious of using information ethically.

The upper level student consistently respects intellectual property, complies with copyright law and fair use principles, abides by SU institutional policies and standards, cites all attributable material, and follows the conventions of a discipline appropriate style manual.