This document outlines Standard One of the ACRL Standards and Performance Indicators for Information Literacy. Standard One focuses on defining and articulating information needs. It has four performance indicators: defining the information need, identifying potential source types and formats, considering costs and benefits of sources, and reevaluating the information need. The performance indicators aim to help students better scope and manage their research topics.

1. Information Literacy
Foundation - Level I
Standard One
ACRL Standards & Performance
Indicators / Learning Outcomes
Addressed

2. Standard One = Know
Standard One is the foundation
on which the other
Standards will build.

3. Standard One = Know
The student must be able to identify these questions:
What is it you want to know?
What kind of information do you need?
How much information do you need?

4. Standard One = Know
This standard is divided into
4 performance indicators.
The basic concepts of these performance
indicators are:
Define and Articulate

5. Standard One = Know
1. The information literate student defines
and articulates the need for information.

6. Standard One = Know
Explore background sources to gain an
initial understanding of the topic.
Read up on the topic!

7. Standard One = Know
2. The information literate student identifies
a variety of types and formats of potential
sources for information.

8. Standard One = Know
Explore various available formats for
meeting this need.
Books! Articles! Virtual! Video! News!
and More!

9. Standard One = Know
Understand how information is generated,
organized, and disseminated.
Databases! Catalogs! Indexes! Web!
and More!

10. Standard One = Know
3. The information literate student considers
the costs and benefits of acquiring the
needed information.

11. Standard One = Know
Understand available time constraints and
fee and free based services.
ILL! Databases! Collections! Periodicals!

12. Standard One = Know
4. The information literate student
reevaluates the nature and extent of the
information need.

13. Standard One = Know
Reevaluate the nature and extent
of the information needed.
Gaining background knowledge will inspire
deeper understanding of the
information needed.

14. Standard One = Know
The 4 Performance Indicator Outcomes
ACRL Outcome 1.D

15. Standard One = Know
Outcome Example:
Your students are having trouble
defining their research topic.
ACRL Outcome 1.D

16. Standard One = Know
Outcome 1.D asks the student to:
Define or modify the information need to
achieve a manageable focus.

17. Standard One = Know
Outcome 1.D asks the student to:
Identify an initial question that might be too
broad or narrow, as well as one that is
probably manageable.

18. Standard One = Know
Outcome 1.D asks the student to:
Explain his/her reasoning regarding the
manageability of a topic with reference to
available information sources.

19. Standard One = Know
Outcome 1.D asks the student to:
Narrow a broad topic and broaden a narrow
topic by modifying the scope or direction of
the question.

20. Standard One = Know
Outcome 1.D asks the student to:
Demonstrate an understanding of how the
desired end product (i.e., the required depth
of investigation and analysis) will play a role
in determining the need for information.

21. Standard One = Know
Outcome 1.D asks the student to:
Use background information sources
effectively to gain an initial understanding of
the topic.

22. Standard One = Know
Outcome 1.D asks the student to:
Consult with the course instructor and
librarians to develop a manageable focus for
the topic.

23. Standard One = Know

24. Bibliography
"Information Literacy Resources | Association of College and Research Libraries
(ACRL)." ALA | Home - American Library Association.
http://www.ala.org/acrl/issues/infolit.
"Objectives for Information Literacy Instruction: A Model Statement for Academic
Librarians | Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)." ALA | Home -
American Library Association.
http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/objectivesinformation.
"Standard One | Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)." ALA |
Home - American Library Association.
http://www.ala.org/acrl/issues/infolit/standards/stnd1.
"The Standards: Step-by-Step | Association of College and Research Libraries
(ACRL)." ALA | Home - American Library Association.
http://www.ala.org/acrl/issues/infolit/standards/steps.
Compiled by: Denise Watts, MLS – Baptist College of Florida