Library Instruction: Introduction

Mission Statement

Utah Tech University Library & Open Learning Services, including the Library, Special Collections & Archives, the Writing Center, and the Academic Performance Centers, provides the resources necessary to facilitate research and enhance the curriculum and programs of Utah Tech University. Library & Open Learning Services delivers innovative services and opportunities, both of which promote and support learning and intellectual engagement for students, faculty, staff, and community.

The University Library & Open Learning Services is innovative, inclusive, and flexible, providing responsive, student-centered services and encouraging equity, exploration, and experiential learning for students’ lifelong personal growth to become global citizens. We will be the campus leader in guiding open educational practices and materials facilitating student success and will pivot to meet evolving information, research, and learning needs of our community. Collaboration, peer-to-peer instruction, and boundary-free access combine with vibrant, welcoming, and engaging physical and virtual spaces to enhance student learning and success.

Values

We are committed to:

• Access
• Service
• Life-long learning
• Intellectual and academic freedom
• Collaboration

Utah Tech University Library Information Literacy Program Mission

Utah Tech Library is dedicated to the development of a university community that is information literate, as defined by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U).  

Utah Tech Library faculty encourages students to become an information literate individual by being able to:

• Determine the extent of information needed.
  Students will determine key concepts and select types of information (sources) that relate to the concepts or answer the research question.
• Access the needed information effectively and efficiently.
  Students will access information using a variety of search strategies and relevant information (sources), and demonstrate the ability to refine search.
• Evaluate information and its sources critically.
  Students will choose a variety of information sources that are appropriate to the scope and discipline of the research question and select sources using multiple criteria (such as relevance to the research question, currency, and authority).
• Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose.
  Students will communicate, organize, and synthesize information from sources in order to achieve their intended purpose.
• Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally.
  Students will correctly use references and citations (including paraphrases, summaries, and/or quotations) while remaining true to the original context of sources.