About this Textbook

Good researchers have a host of tools at their disposal that make navigating today’s complex information ecosystem much more manageable. Gaining the knowledge, abilities, and self-reflection necessary to be a good researcher helps not only in academic settings, but is invaluable in any career, and throughout one’s life. The Information Literacy User’s Guide will start you on this route to success.

The Information Literacy User’s Guide is based on two current models in information literacy: The 2011 version of The Seven Pillars Model, developed by the Society of College, National and University Libraries in the United Kingdom and the conception of information literacy as a metaliteracy. These core foundations ensure that the material will be relevant to today’s students.

The Information Literacy User’s Guide introduces students to critical concepts of information literacy as defined for the information-infused and technology-rich environment in which they find themselves. This book helps students examine their roles as information creators and sharers and enables them to more effectively deploy related skills. This textbook includes relatable case studies and scenarios, hands-on exercises, and learning resources.

About the 2024 Marietta College Remix

In 2023 Dr. Linda Lockhart and Peter Thayer adapted the textbook, The Information Literacy User’s Guide: Marietta College Remix – An Open, Online Textbook, for local use at Marietta College. The remix draws from content in the 2014 book edited by Bobish and Jacobson and from the 2019 adaptation by Becknell and March. Lockhart and Thayer edited and authored additional content to this version of the text and In 2024 the Marietta College Remix was updated to include content and learning outcomes added to the PIO 101 course when it was revised from a 2-credit-hour to a 3-credit-hour course in spring 2024.

Linda Lockhart is Associate Professor of Communication and the Director of the college’s information-literacy based first-year seminar, PIO 101. She received the Harness Outstanding Educator Award in 2022.

Peter Thayer is Assistant Professor and Reference Access Librarian in Marietta College’s Legacy Library, focusing in areas of reference, library instruction, interlibrary loan, and government documents. He teaches first-year PIO 101 and business classes.

About the Authors

Linda Lockhart and Peter Thayer are faculty at Marietta College, where both teach PIO 101 First-Year Seminar classes, which is grounded in Information Literacy.

Authors of the original Information Literacy User’s Guide

Deborah Bernnard, University at Albany, State University of New York

Greg Bobish, University at Albany, State University of New York

Daryl Bullis, iBabson College

Jenna Hecker, University at Albany, State University of New York

Irina Holden, University at Albany, State University of New York

Allison Hosier, Coastal Carolina University.

Trudi Jacobson, University at Albany, State University of New York

Tor Loney, Albany Public Library

Elissah Becknell and Rebecca March, Minneapolis Community & Technical College Library. In 2019 they revised and adapted the original textbook for classroom use at MCTC.