Before the original Plan was approved by the Faculty in May 2009, UNH Law’s Librarians had taken the lead in providing instruction in legal research tools and search strategies inside and outside the classroom. The 2009 plan relied on user-centered, interactive learning opportunities incorporating problem-based strategies and the competencies set forth in the Association of College and Research Libraries (hereinafter “ACRL Standards”). The plan solidified institutional commitment and advances the current program. In addition to curricular instruction that is discipline or assignment based, it provides for increased and evolving non-curricular learning opportunities that are relevant and focused. Faculty members are invited to collaborate with librarians on information literacy goals and expected outcomes. The library’s Liaison Program will continue to assist in promoting stronger ties by providing library consultants for Faculty and students.
For the next five years UNH Law will continue to incrementally build on the success and design of the 2009 Plan with a more comprehensive and integrated approach, as reflected throughout this Plan, to information literacy beginning with the first year through the student's academic career. This Plan replaces the ACRL Standards with The American Association of Law Libraries approved Legal Research Competencies and Standards for Law Student Information Literacy (hereinafter “AALL Standards”) described in the following section.
Consistent with the 2014 integration with UNH, the UNH Law Library Faculty has reviewed the June 2012 Report of the Library Instruction Working Group by the Dimond Library Faculty – a proposal for a comprehensive instruction or information literacy program. The Dimond Working Group used the ACRL Standards to review literature, evaluate instructional programs elsewhere, and to assess bibliographic instruction here at the University of New Hampshire. The Report reviews current instructional activities and calls for short and long term goals to develop an information literacy plan including institution wide outreach. As such, the UNH Law Library Faculty has and will continue to work with the Dimond Library Faculty to ensure this Plan is in harmony with the planning, initiatives and implementation of a full-blown UNH information literacy plan. The Dimond Library is hiring an Information Literacy Librarian in 2013 and we will work diligently with our new colleague counterpart.