Engendering Social Justice in First Year Information Literacy Classes

Abstract

Information literacy classes are becoming common on college campuses to help first year students learn information search skills necessary for higher education. Free speech debates on some college campuses has bred a level of student activism not seen since the 1960s. Librarians can play a key role formulating positive and informed student responses through First Year Information Literacy (FYIL) classes that focus on information literacy in context of social justice issues of race, gender and free speech.

Keywords

• academic library instruction
• first year information literacy
• social justice