Information Literacy
To schedule an information literacy instruction session for your class, contact us here, or ask a librarian for more details.
Information Literacy is the broad ability to understand where information comes from, how to find it, what value different information resources may have respectively, and how to use information to produce new ideas. Being information literate means being able to:
- decide how large or small the focus of a research project should be
- identify authoritative resources, and understand different kids of authority
- locate resources in a variety of formats
- effectively use research tools
- properly cite resources
- produce new, original information
Additionally, your attitude is also as much part of Information Literacy as your skills are. Hard work, persistence, creativity are key to the research process, and being able to recognize your limitations and ask for help is an asset, not a shortcoming. To learn more about Information Literacy, see the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education from The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL).
Welcome
Many students today don’t need to spend a lot of time learning how to find information. Many of you are online everyday finding and gathering information: reconnecting with people, registering for open classes, buying books and other merchandise, downloading driving directions, weather forecasts, song lyrics, recipes, and celebrity gossip.
But gathering information is not research!
Research requires that you find information, of course, but it also demands that you explore ideas, try to solve problems, and make
arguments. Information is important to do these things, but you need time to read the information you find, reflect on it, analyze it, and to write several drafts of papers or projects so that you can present your research in a clear and logical way.
This guide will help you go beyong merely gathering information and into real academic research. Check out the tabs at the top of this page for more information on:
Research Titles
The Elements of Library Research by Call Number: Z710 .G44 2008ISBN: 0691138575Publication Date: 2008-08-31
A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Call Number: LB2369 .T8 2007ISBN: 0226823369Publication Date: 2007-04-15
Research Within the Disciplines by Call Number: Z710 .R47 2007ISBN: 0810856883Publication Date: 2007-04-01
Library Hours
LIBRARY HOURS:
Monday - Friday: 8 am - 11 pm
Saturday: 1 pm - 7 pm
Sunday: 2 pm - 11 pm
REQUEST LIBRARY ASSISTANCE
Library Guides and Tutorials
- Plagiarism and Academic HonestyThis tutorial discusses plagiarism, the use of quotations, and paraphrasing.
- Using Your RecordA brief exploration of the Your Record feature in the Hammermill Library online catalog. This one minute video will show you how to access Your Record and use the available features.
- EBSCO ebook Academic CollectionA video tutorial demonstrating how to use Mercyhurst University Libraries' new subscription to Ebsco's eBook Academic Collection.
