The Information Literacy Standards can provide a framework through which to plan goals, outcomes, content, teaching and learning activities, and assessment for the session.

The information literate student is able to:

• Determine the extent of information needed
• Access the needed information effectively and efficiently
• Evaluate information and its sources critically
• Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base
• Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
• Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally

Information literacy competency standards for higher education. American Library Association, 2000.

Reflecting the mission of Northwestern University, the library instruction program is committed to supporting excellent teaching, innovative research and the personal and intellectual growth of its students. In an era of rapidly changing information technologies research skills help create informed, critical analysts of the world. The library instruction program promotes the skills students require to effectively access information; to evaluate information sources critically; to create original scholarship; to adapt to ever-evolving information systems; and to understand the laws and ethics surrounding uses of information.