Assessment of learning outcomes: A measure of progress in library literacy

Abstract

Mandated by Colorado's legislators to assess learning outcomes, James A. Michener Library-at the University of Northern Colorado-developed a survey instrument with a test component against which students' self-assessed skills could be compared by academic status, freshmen through graduate students. Although the library has no formalized course or program for library skill development, the investigators examined the four components of library literacy outlined in the Colorado Academic Library Master Plan through ten test questions incorporated into the survey. Findings indicated no dramatic trend of higher proficiency when comparing results of freshmen and seniors in the test portion of the survey, although self-assessed skills showed such a trend.