Developing Information Literate Librarians: A Study of LIS Academics Pedagogical Approaches in the Development of Information Literacy Competencies

This study explored the teaching experiences of LIS educators in Iran to identify the contribution of their teaching to the development of IL competencies in LIS students. Taking an exploratory approach, the study used semi-structured interviews to gather the data. Using the ACRL standards as a framework, the fieldwork questions were designed around the five areas of IL competencies, viz. determining information needs, locating information, evaluating information, using information ethically, and using information for a specific purpose. The data was collected from 15 educators in 6 LIS departments in Iranian universities. IL activities at 6 universities take the form of lectures, workshops, and basic IL skills modules. Few IL activities are subject discipline related. They were asked to reflect on the IL competencies in the context of their teaching experiences to identify the contribution of their teaching to the development of each IL competency. A thematic approach was used to analyze the data. It was found that the LIS educators employ a variety of teaching approaches to transfer IL competencies. This includes getting students to find and select a topic, helping students obtaining their needed information and developing a query on their essay work, and so on.