The University of the District of Columbia Library is conducting a literature review and will undertake a syllabus review project to identify opportunities for expanding information literacy instruction and assess library collections. Meghan Kowalski, the Outreach and Reference Librarian, Cathy Meals, Assessment Librarian, and Donna Welles have investigated models for reviewing course syllabi. A syllabus analysis study might look for (1) the presence of library use, and (2) information literacy learning outcomes. The first step in any syllabus review is to determine if any library use is required. The syllabi can be scaled for more and less library use. The syllabi are coded for the presence of six themes using a three-indicator scale, not present, implied, or explicitly stated. Reviewers have options about either creating codes from the text of the syllabi, or they can create a rubric and assess each syllabus with the rubric.
