Alaska Student Content Standards for School Libraries

During the 1998-99 school year, the Department of Education and the Alaska State Library collaborated to sponsor the writing of content standards for Alaska students in the essential area of library/information literacy. A working group of educators from around the state wrote the content standards to reflect the knowledge, abilities and attitudes every Alaskan student should develop in this area. The standards follow the already published Alaska Content Standards in format and language, but delineate the unique skills required to be informationally literate.

On Dec. 10, 1999 the State Board of Education voted to adopt the Library/Information Literacy Standards into regulation. These standards now join the original 10 core curricular areas as a major focus for educational programs in Alaska. These standards were incorporated into the Alaska Standards: Content and Performance Standards for Alaska Students in February, 2000.

Working Group
Mike Williams, AK Board of Ed. member
Betty Walters, Supt., Kodiak Island Borough School District
Mary Ellen Baker, Director, Wasilla Public Library
Bruce Johnson, AK Dept. of Education
Laurie Packebush, Teacher, Anchorage School District
Trena Richardson, Principal, Kenai School District
Roz Goodman, Media Director, Southwest Regional Schools
Linda Masterson, Librarian, Anchorage School District
Gaylin Fuller, Media Director, Fairbanks North Star SD
Bob VanDerWege, Media Director, Kenai School District
Marjorie Menzie, AK Dept. of Education
Peggy Cowan, AK Dept. of Education
Della Matthis, Alaska State Library

Library/Information Literacy Standards
Board Approved - December 10, 1999

Mission Statement

The school library is a primary source for information and curriculum support. The school library program functions as the information center for the school by providing access to a full range of information resources, in both traditional and electronic format, and opportunities to acquire information literacy skills and integrated and interdisciplinary learning activities which support the curriculum. The mission of the school library program is to ensure that all students and staff become literate, life-long learners and effective and responsible users of ideas and information.

A. A student should understand how information and resources are organized.

A student who meets the content standard should:
1) recognize that libraries use classification systems to organize, store and provide access to information and resources;

2) understand how information in print, non-print and electronic formats are organized and accessed;

3) understand how library classification and subject heading systems work;

4) search for information and resources by author, title, subject or keyword, as appropriate; and

5) identify and use search strategies and terms that will produce appropriate results.

B. A student should understand and use the research processes necessary to locate, evaluate and communicate information and ideas.

A student who meets the content standard should:

1) state a problem, question or information need;
2) consider the variety of available resources and determine the best ones to use;

3) access information;

4) evaluate the validity, relevancy, currency and accuracy of information;

5) organize and use information to create a product; and

6) evaluate the effectiveness of the product in conveying the intended message.

C. A student should recognize that being an independent reader, listener, and viewer of material in print, non-print, and electronic formats will contribute to personal enjoyment and lifelong learning.

A student who meets the content standard should:
1) read for pleasure and information;

2) read, listen to, and view a wide variety of literature and other creative expressions; and

3) recognize and select materials appropriate to personal abilities and interests.

D. A student should be aware of the freedom to seek information and possess the confidence to pursue information needs beyond immediately available sources.

A student who meets the content standard should:

1) know how to access information through local, national and international sources in printed and electronic formats;
2) recognize the importance of access to information and ideas in a democratic society;

3) access information on local, state, national and world cultures and issues;

4) evaluate information representing diverse views in order to make informed decisions; and

5) assimilate and understand how newly acquired information relates to oneself and others.

E. A student should understand ethical, legal and social behavior with respect to information resources.

A student who meets the content standard should:

1) use library materials and information resources responsibly;

2) understand and respect for the principles of intellectual freedom;

3) understand and respect for intellectual property rights and copyright laws; and

4) develop and use citations and bibliographies.

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