Creating Buy-in Across Campus for Information Literacy

Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) focuses on increasing our student’s ability to critically think by improving their information literacy skills. This initiative was sparked by the needs of our community, local business leaders, faculty, staff, and a small nudge from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (CVCC’s accrediting agency). During this presentation, we will illustrate how CVCC is validating the impact of library instruction through its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). We are also using library instruction to actively demonstrate the value of information literacy training to faculty. CVCC creates buy-in by building relationships with stakeholders at the grassroots level. QEP facilitators hold open meetings and provide professional development for faculty members that are curious about implementing information literacy in their classrooms. Through employee friendships, hall way conversations, previous QEP instructor testimonials, and food; faculty involvement has increased significantly over the past three semesters. The QEP Director collects data on critical thinking and information literacy through pre-/post- tests, assignments, and reflections. After three semesters, our evaluation of the data reveals a statistically significant increase in our student’s information literacy skills. CVCC is committed to making college improvements through data driven decisions. Recruiting professional educators for this initiative is simplified by sharing data that supports the importance of information literacy for their students