The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) launched on 3 December 2009 a new service development and self-evaluation framework for library and information services in Scottish Further Education (FE) colleges, to replace the previously published toolkit Resources and Services to Support Learners. 

The framework includes a message of thanks to John and I from Charles Sweeney, Chair, SLIC Working Party on FE Libraries

Thanks are also due to Christine Irving and John Crawford of Glasgow Caledonian University’s Scottish Information Literacy Framework project who ably demonstrated to the Working Party the importance of information literacy as a core competence enabling independent learning in a vocational context.

The framework  has been produced in “consultation with colleagues from SFC, HMIe, JISC, the professional library community in colleges across Scotland and external expertise from Strathclyde University on quality library services”.  Included in the introduction are the following key statements

SLIC recognises that college library and information services are key strategic business assets, whose staff have a major contribution to make in supporting flexible, responsive, high quality learning and teaching programmes and in promoting learner engagement.

Together with changes to the strategic and policy context of further education Scotland has recently introduced the biggest education reform for a generation. The Curriculum for Excellence brings the key role of the library into sharp focus in supporting the development of successful learners and confident individuals. The library provides staff and students with the opportunity to exercise their entitlement to access information and develop comprehensive literacies in a supportive environment.

College library services offer:

• Access to a wide range of information in a range of formats
• Support for attainment across the college community
• Support for the development of information literacy
• Assistance with effective utilisation of ICT in learning and teaching
• Knowledge and skills in promoting reading for enjoyment
• Support for personal and social development and citizenship skills
• The type of flexible learning environment which can encourage independent learning
• Access to structured information skills programmes to develop critical thinking skills.

As a core curriculum support service, the quality of the library service  reflects the professionalism of the institution as a whole.

Hopefully library services and staff can use the above to support / demonstrated the work they do and their relevance to the college as a whole.

Within the different Elements of the framework Information literacy is specifically mentioned in the following: 

Element 2: Impact on learners and other users of college services 2.1; 2.2

Quality indicator and key prompt

An appropriate range and balance of learning resources and services is offered to support learners and curricular needs

In what ways do service staff work closely with curricular staff to embed and support the delivery of information literacy and research skills?

Suggested evidence sources

• Information literacy embedded in learning and teaching strategy
• Examples of integrated information resources in teaching packs
• Cross-curricular information skills programmes

Element 8: Partnership and resources 8.2

The service participates in, and contributes to, programmes and services to meet the needs of all learners

Suggested evidence sources

Information literacy sessions and support