Workplace Information Literacy We will give a quick update on where we are with our LCPs and are looking for your help in the next phase of our work. Mary Jane Pittman, Lunenburg Campus Librarian Denise Parrott, Technical Services Librarian

Learning College Portfolio (LCP) Started November 2015 Runs for 3.5 year Focus on NSCC library programs and collections that support workplace information literacy training Learning College Portfolio (LCP) We have been working on our individual LCPs for the last year and a half, focusing on workplace information literacy. NSCC is the occupational training arm of the Government of Nova Scotia, and we want to look at how Library Services supports our students in becoming effective employees in a 21st century work world. Mary Jane is looking at this from a programming angle and Denise is exploring collection development support.

Information Literacy & Workplace Literacy “Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” ACRL http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/informationliteracycompetency “Workplace literacy refers to the skills and abilities your employees need to have to function effectively, efficiently and safely in the workplace.” Literacy Link South Central (UK) http://www.llsc.on.ca/about-us/resources Information Literacy & Workplace Literacy Information literacy (definition is above) had dropped off the library radar in the past, but now it is being seen as more relevant than ever. Workplace literacy (definition above) involves being able to locate, gather, evaluate, organize synthesize the information that is needed to complete the job at hand so employees can function effectively, efficiently and safely.

Essential Skills The Government of Canada has defined a set of 9 essential skills that all employees need in the workplace. These “soft skills” point to the need for information literacy training – document use, continuous learning, being able to think critically and evaluate, being able to write for the workplace, digital skills – these are all part of the information literacy model. Government of Canada, Office of Literacy & Essential Skills https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/essential-skills.html

21st Century Workplace Skills Workopolis is Canada’s largest career site for job seekers. This 2015 report from Workopolis pulls out the most sought after skills that employers are listing in job postings on the Workopolis site, and many of these relate to information literacy: problem solving, quality, reports, organizing, writing, analysis, service. Communication, the top skill, requires people to be able to process information effectively. Employers report that they are struggling to find employees with these “soft” skills. Workopolis: The most sought after skills in Canada (2015) https://hiring.workopolis.com/research/thinkopolis/viii-skills-infographic/

NSCC Students Here is a quick look at what our students look like demographically. Most were born after 1981 and require new approaches to information literacy instruction. Generations Y and Z make up most of our student populations. Research shows they feel a lot of pressure and are buried in information, so they need help determining what information to pay attention to. Employers report that new grads are challenged with finding and synthesizing information and often skim information without thinking about it critically. Data provided by NSCC Institutional Research

We’ve got this! Examples: Writing Center Resume help Computer help (digital skills) Media literacy (“fake news”) Documentation (copyright) Sourcing accurate & reliable information How is Library Services Addressing Workplace Information Literacy Training in a 21st Century College? Library staff have the skills and training to help address the soft skills gap and we have always been helping students with workplace information literacy training. We help support students in many of the areas that employers are identifying as key skills in today’s workforce.

What are you doing? We want to know! You will all receive a survey in July, asking more specific questions about how your campus library is addressing workplace information literacy. The findings will be gathered and presented at the Nova Scotia Library Association Conference in the fall of 2017. What are you doing? Denise and Mary Jane will be presenting at the Nova Scotia Library Association Conference in the fall of 2017. In our session we will present the general characteristics of students who are choosing to attend NSCC and demonstrate how NSCC Library Services is helping address the information literacy skills these students will need when they go into the workforce. We hope to open discussion about 21st century workplace literacy skills and how all libraries in the province are involved in supporting these skills.