Information Literacy at Horn Library
Overview of Guide
The Horn Library is a creative partner in the development and dissemination of knowledge that serves to connect ideas, people, and information across the Babson Community. We provide a dynamic learning and research environment that facilitates access to world class resources and expertise in effective and ethical use of information. Our goal is to foster information discovery, business innovation, and independent lifelong learning in support of entrepreneurial values and scholarship.
"ACRL Framework for Information Literacy" by Association of College & Research Libraries is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
"Business Research Competencies" by Reference and User Services Association A division of the American Library Association is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Information Literacy
The Association for College and Research Libraries' Framework for Information Literacy is the guiding document for our instructional design.
It is made up of six threshold concepts that that "organize many other concepts and ideas about information, research, and scholarship into a coherent whole." (ACRL)
See below for a summary of the six threshold concepts that make up the Framework for Information Literacy.
1. Authority is Constructed and Contextual
Information resources reflect their creators’ expertise and credibility, and are evaluated based on the information need and the context in which the information will be used. Authority is constructed in that various communities may recognize different types of authority. It is contextual in that the information need may help to determine the level of authority required.
2. Information Creation as a Process
Information in any format is produced to convey a message and is shared via a selected delivery method. The iterative processes of researching, creating, revising, and disseminating information vary, and the resulting product reflects these differences.
3. Information Has Value
Information possesses several dimensions of value, including as a commodity, as a means of education, as a means to influence, and as a means of negotiating and understanding the world. Legal and socioeconomic interests influence information production and dissemination.
4. Research as Inquiry
Research is iterative and depends upon asking increasingly complex or new questions whose answers in turn develop additional questions or lines of inquiry in any field.
5. Scholarship as Conversation
Communities of scholars, researchers, or professionals engage in sustained discourse with new insights and discoveries occurring over time as a result of varied perspectives and interpretations.
6. Searching as Strategic Exploration
Searching for information is often nonlinear and iterative, requiring the evaluation of a range of information sources and the mental flexibility to pursue alternate avenues as new understanding develops.
In addition to the Framework for Information Literacy, we also consider RUSA's Business Research Competencies when preparing lessons for students.
The Reference User Services Association, a part of the American Library Association, developed the Business Research Competencies which provide basic business research competency areas for assessment as well as competencies in relation to specific types of business research. The Business Research Competencies outline targeted skills and learning outcomes. These competencies were approved in 2019.
Planning your session
► Step 1: Identify Your Class's Research Needs
Library instruction should be an integral part of a research paper or project that your students are working on. Students get the best learning experience from their library visit when they can clearly see the connection to their library instruction activities and the classroom activities that they’ve been working on.
► Step 2: Fill Out the Instruction Request Form
Make sure to fill out the instruction request form at least a week before your preferred instruction date.
► Step 3: Promote Library Reference Services
Encourage students to use reference services throughout the semester. Reference librarians are available to help students several hours a day in person and by phone, e-mail, and chat. Find our hours, along with online library research guides on the library homepage.