New York, NY (July 23, 2009) – The past decade has seen enormous growth in the availability of and access to information. How can information literacy instructors adapt their practices to empower today’s demanding learners who depend upon new modes of delivery and fast answers? Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and Practice, Second Edition, to be published by Neal-Schuman on September 1, 2009, provides an accessible, in-depth guide to the field’s crucial background and the wide range of instructional aspects, modes and choices available for creating effective Information Literacy Instruction programs.

Information literacy pioneers and field experts Esther S. Grassian and Joan R. Kaplowitz, winners of the 2004 ACRL Instruction Section Publication Award for the first edition of Information Literacy Instruction, have thoroughly expanded and updated their groundbreaking text to cover all facets of 21st century library instruction. Clearly organized into five parts, the book begins with key definitions and a history of library instruction. The next part explores essential learning theories, styles, and practical applications, as well as library anxiety, mental models, conceptual change, critical thinking and active learning.

Grassian and Kaplowitz then focus on planning and development, with discussion of needs assessment, goal-setting, mode selection, design, copyright and assessment. Next, the authors concentrate on delivery, including learner-centered teaching and learner diversity, and offer guidance for tailoring ILI programs to various types of library environments. They also include a chapter with best practices for using technology to successfully support learning, and the authors pay particular attention to emerging issues such as conducting information literacy instruction in online teaching environments including Blackboard, WebCt and Moodle, best practices for using newer Web 2.0 technologies, and making use of online applications like Facebook, Second Life, Youtube, and blogs. Grassian and Kaplowitz conclude with an insightful look into the future of information literacy instruction.

To further solidify concepts, each chapter includes recommended readings, exercises, practical diagrams and illustrations. The book’s companion CD-ROM includes sample mission statements, a table that lists the pros and cons of assessment tools, a brief overview of learning styles table, links to searchable, interactive Web pages, and practice handouts.

Accessibly written and comprehensive in scope, Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and Practice, Second Edition is both an essential resource for practicing librarians seeking to deepen their knowledge, and a superlative teaching tool for LIS courses.

Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and Practice, Second Edition
ISBN: 978-1-55570-666-1.
2009. 8.5 x 11. 300pp. $75.00.

About the Authors
Esther S. Grassian received an MLS from UCLA, and has served in a variety of reference and instruction positions in the UCLA College Library and as a member of the first Association of College Research Libraries’ (ACRLACRL) Institute for Information Literacy Advisory Board. Her publications include the first edition of Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and Practice (Neal-Schuman, 2001), Learning to Lead and Manage Information Literacy Instruction (Neal-Schuman, 2005), and the “Information Literacy Instruction” article for the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science, all co-authored with Joan R. Kaplowitz. In 1995, she was named Librarian of the Year by the Librarians Association of the University of California, Los Angeles.
Joan R. Kaplowitz has a Doctorate in Psychology as well as a Master’s in Library Science. She retired in 2007 after many years as a UCLA librarian and Head of the Research, Instruction and Collection Services division at the UCLA Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library. Dr. Kaplowitz is the co-author (with Ms. Grassian) of the first edition of Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and Practice (Neal-Schuman, 2001) and Learning to Lead and Manage Information Literacy Instruction (Neal-Schuman, 2005). She was awarded UCLA Emerita status in 2008.

About Neal-Schuman Publishers
Neal-Schuman Publishers is a leading publisher of professional books for librarians, archivists and knowledge managers. Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City, with offices in London, UK.

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