Introducing Principles of Service Learning
into Information Literacy Instruction

Poster Session presented at the Library Instruction Round Table session,
American Library Association annual meeting 2003 (Toronto)

Kendra Van Cleave
Senior Assistant Librarian
J. Paul Leonard Library
San Francisco State University
kendrav@sfsu.edu

Robert Labaree
Applied Social Sciences Librarian
Research Services, Doheny Library
University of Southern California
labaree@usc.edu

OVERVIEW

What is service learning?

“Service-learning is a form of experiential education in which students engage in activities that address human and community needs together with structured opportunities intentionally designed to promote student learning and development. Reflection and reciprocity are key concepts of service-learning” (Jacoby, Barbara, and Associates. Service-Learning in Higher Education: Concepts and Practices. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1996, pg. 5).

Why consider information literacy in the context of service learning courses?

Service learning can offer a method of addressing information literacy competencies while increasing students’ perceptions of the immediate relevancy of information literacy skills.
Service learning offers a unique environment in which to teach issues related to socially responsible information use (ACRL Information Literacy Standard Five).[Note]

What are the benefits of using service learning methods to teach information literacy?

Service learning has been demonstrated to increase students’ engagement with learning material by fostering a greater sense of relevancy, context, empowerment, and value.

What are the benefits of teaching information literacy to courses using a service learning pedagogy?

Introducing a research component to service learning projects can deepen students’ understanding of those projects.
Librarians are uniquely positioned to extend the traditional boundaries of service learning, which usually focuses on local communities, to include digital communities.
Because students will already be attuned to the deeper values taught by service learning courses, they may be more amenable to learning about issues related to socially responsible information use (ACRL Information Literacy Standard Five).[Note]

ACRL Information Literacy Standard Five: "The information literate student understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally."

This page last updated June 23, 2003.

Introducing Principles of Service Learning into Information Literacy Instruction