Leeds University Library Implementing an information literacy audit in the School of Healthcare, Leeds University Alison Lahlafi, Faculty Team Librarian (Health Team) David Clarke, Lecturer, School of Healthcare

Leeds University Library Session content Background to the Information Literacy (IL) Audit Audit aims and methodology Audit findings and recommendations Audit follow-up – what’s happened so far? What’s next?

Leeds University Library Background to the IL Audit (1) IL aims to equip students with the skills to become independent seekers and discerning users of information in their studies Development of skills which are transferable to the workplace Current context of evidence based practice in Healthcare

Leeds University Library Background to the IL Audit (2) 2004 Library IL Strategy Paper accepted by School of Healthcare Learning and Teaching Committee (SLTC) School of Healthcare IL Strategy Implementation Group set up (Library & School staff) December 2004 SLTC agreed an audit of current IL skills training & support

Leeds University Library Why an IL Audit? “widespread underestimation by students and some academic staff of the (IL) skills needed…” (JISC, 2004) Big, complex School - 34 programmes, 360+ modules Lots of IL training going on – School and Library – need to test assumptions… – Follow-up from initial big IL related modules? – Progression through programmes? – 2 nd year refresher training? – Needs of taught postgraduates, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) etc.

Leeds University Library IL Audit Aims 1. To review current level of integration of IL within the educational programmes offered by the School 2. To provide an overview of whether and how these educational programmes provide opportunities for students to develop key IL skills necessary for life long learning in a knowledge driven, evidence based environment.

Leeds University Library Focus of the audit Questionnaire for 34 Programme Managers 16 skills - based on IL standards developed by the library, healthcare focus (see handout) Map skills development across programmes – form for each year Who provides the training – School or Library Highlight key modules where IL is embedded Highlight good practice Survey use of Nathan Bodington (VLE)

Leeds University Library Audit Analysis Feb/March 2005 audit sent out Good response rate- 85% Analysis by Programme Groups Data reports – IL skills delivered by School / Library – IL skills broken down by year of programme Comments from student evaluation forms added in

Leeds University Library Reporting audit findings Full report available on School Intranet Summary report & recommendations for SLTC- Policy making group for the school – Recommendations common to all 4 Programme Groups – Recommendations specific to individual Programme Groups Full discussion at Programme Groups – Autumn 2005 to develop detailed action plans and effect change

Leeds University Library Some key conclusions Number of well developed compulsory core modules for development of IL skills in the first year (Advanced Diploma / Undergraduate) Well developed library based project / dissertation / research skills modules for level 3 and postgraduates Little linkage of IL skills to other modules outside these core research modules Some lack of clarity / mismatch over delivery of IL skills and content of core IL modules Some areas for further development of IL skills identified

Leeds University Library Key recommendations Redraw transferable skills grids in Module handbooks to include IL skills Include more IL information in Study Skills Handbook & Module handbooks Increase IL resources promotion via Nathan Bodington Number of recommendations specific to individual programmes

Leeds University Library Examples of Programme recommendations Advanced Diploma Increase hands-on IL skills training (year1) Precede first year Medline tutorial sessions with presentation to put tutorial into context Introduce subject heading database skills in 2 nd year Basic student IL skills audit year 2 & 3 Link IL skills to modules across each year Plan to introduce assessment of student IL skills Similar approach to undergraduate/CPD and Post Graduate programmes

Leeds University Library Progress to date 2004 Library IL Strategy Paper accepted by School of Healthcare Learning and Teaching Committee (SLTC)  School of Healthcare IL Strategy Implementation Group set up (Library & School staff)  December 2004 SLTC agreed an audit of current IL skills training & support  March 2005 Audit of Programmes Pilot training programmes based on recommendations  September 2005 Basic student skills audit Targeted training by programme groups including CPD, Post Grad and PhD students  September 2006 Inclusion of IL skills development activities across modules Formal student skills assessment (Link with Institute of Psychological Sciences)

Leeds University Library Conclusions Audit findings analysis is very time consuming, but proved worthwhile Very useful in mapping out where IL skills are delivered across programmes, and identifying some areas for further development IL Audit raised awareness of IL skills development issues across the School – strength in partnership between Library and School Identified need for staff development to support IL in the curriculum