2016 MLA Annual Conference

Despite careful planning and best efforts, sometimes assessment results don't necessarily show you what you want to see. Just because the destination is not where you expected to be doesn't mean the journey wasn't worth it. The St. Catherine University Library instruction librarians undertook a significant assessment project with the information literacy instruction provided to all students in their first year shared experience course in the Fall of 2015. Librarians worked with seven class sections to deliver information literacy instruction at strategic times throughout the semester, as opposed to a traditional one-shot library orientation session typically provided. Student learning outcomes were developed, instruction was planned, and assessment tools (pre-test/post-test and evaluation of student work samples) were selected to measure outcomes. Although the results were not what was expected, they were eye opening, and in the process, this project has opened doors, built relationships, created in-roads, and started a dialogue with key stakeholders that has been invaluable. This presentation will explore the methodology and results of our assessment efforts and our reflections on the process, lessons learned, and plans for moving forward.