Embracing Challenges in Times of Change: A Survey of the Readiness of Academic Librarians in New Jersey for Transition to the ACRL Framework

Abstract

Many academic librarians in the state of New Jersey (NJ) have successfully integrated information literacy (IL) into the curriculum using the ACRL IL Competency Standards for Higher Education (Standards). These Standards formed the underpinnings of IL curriculum mapping and assessment plans, and have been adopted by administrators in higher education institutions across the state. The advent of the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education (Framework) prompted the author to survey IL coordinators to investigate how their institutions are embracing the opportunities presented by the challenge of looking at IL through this new lens. This paper presents a snapshot of NJ librarians' readiness to adopt the Framework: challenges, opportunities, new approaches to IL integration, and gaining buy-in from relevant campus partners. This study is timely because the Standards were rescinded two months following the administration of the survey.

Keywords

• ACRL Framework; ACRL Standards; NJ Academic Librarians