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Gaps in Information Literacy Knowledge and Skills among First-Year Postsecondary Students in Minnesota: Key Findings and Recommendations from Interviews with Faculty

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Title: Gaps in Information Literacy Knowledge and Skills among First-Year Postsecondary Students in Minnesota: Key Findings and Recommendations from Interviews with Faculty
Language: English
Authors: Anna Granias, Stephanie Nelson-Dusek, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, Wilder Research
Source: Wilder Research. 2026.
Availability: Wilder Research. Available from: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. 451 Lexington Parkway North, Saint Paul, MN 55104. Tel: 651-280-2700; Fax: 651-280-3700; e-mail: research@wilder.org; Web site: http://www.wilder.org/Wilder-Research
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 31
Publication Date: 2026
Sponsoring Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Document Type: Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Two Year Colleges
Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Information Literacy, College Freshmen, College Faculty, Two Year Colleges, Colleges, Information Sources, Ethics, Credibility, Accuracy, Information Utilization, Search Strategies, Research Skills, College Instruction, School Libraries, Elementary Secondary Education, Digital Literacy, Technological Literacy, Literacy
Geographic Terms: Minnesota
Abstract: The ability to critically evaluate sources, use technology effectively, and engage responsibly in digital spaces is fundamental to both workforce success and a functioning democracy. In fall 2025, Minnesota librarians partnered with Wilder Research to assess existing gaps in students' information literacy skills as they begin college. Wilder conducted in-depth interviews with 21 faculty from varied colleges and universities across the state who teach first-year students. Faculty were asked about the gaps between the knowledge and skills first-year students are expected to have and the knowledge and skills they had on entry to college. The questions focused on four key domains based on updated standards for 12th graders from ITEM (Information & Technology Educators of Minnesota): information literacy and research, digital citizenship, technology and innovation, and literacy engagement. The findings reveal large gaps in student preparedness for college that, if not addressed, could have negative implications for Minnesota's future workforce. This report summarizes those findings and presents recommendations for policymakers and K-12 educators to ensure Minnesota students graduate with the skills that our information age demands.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED679799
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Gaps in Information Literacy Knowledge and Skills among First-Year Postsecondary Students in Minnesota: Key Findings and Recommendations from Interviews with Faculty
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Anna+Granias%22">Anna Granias</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Stephanie+Nelson-Dusek%22">Stephanie Nelson-Dusek</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Amherst+H%2E+Wilder+Foundation%2C+Wilder+Research%22">Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, Wilder Research</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Wilder+Research%22"><i>Wilder Research</i></searchLink>. 2026.
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  Data: Wilder Research. Available from: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. 451 Lexington Parkway North, Saint Paul, MN 55104. Tel: 651-280-2700; Fax: 651-280-3700; e-mail: research@wilder.org; Web site: http://www.wilder.org/Wilder-Research
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  Data: N
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  Label: Page Count
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  Data: 31
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
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  Data: Reports - Research<br />Tests/Questionnaires
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Two+Year+Colleges%22">Two Year Colleges</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Secondary+Education%22">Elementary Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+Literacy%22">Information Literacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Freshmen%22">College Freshmen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Faculty%22">College Faculty</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Two+Year+Colleges%22">Two Year Colleges</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Colleges%22">Colleges</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+Sources%22">Information Sources</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ethics%22">Ethics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Credibility%22">Credibility</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Accuracy%22">Accuracy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+Utilization%22">Information Utilization</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Search+Strategies%22">Search Strategies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+Skills%22">Research Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Instruction%22">College Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Libraries%22">School Libraries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+Secondary+Education%22">Elementary Secondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Digital+Literacy%22">Digital Literacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technological+Literacy%22">Technological Literacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Literacy%22">Literacy</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Minnesota%22">Minnesota</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The ability to critically evaluate sources, use technology effectively, and engage responsibly in digital spaces is fundamental to both workforce success and a functioning democracy. In fall 2025, Minnesota librarians partnered with Wilder Research to assess existing gaps in students' information literacy skills as they begin college. Wilder conducted in-depth interviews with 21 faculty from varied colleges and universities across the state who teach first-year students. Faculty were asked about the gaps between the knowledge and skills first-year students are expected to have and the knowledge and skills they had on entry to college. The questions focused on four key domains based on updated standards for 12th graders from ITEM (Information & Technology Educators of Minnesota): information literacy and research, digital citizenship, technology and innovation, and literacy engagement. The findings reveal large gaps in student preparedness for college that, if not addressed, could have negative implications for Minnesota's future workforce. This report summarizes those findings and presents recommendations for policymakers and K-12 educators to ensure Minnesota students graduate with the skills that our information age demands.
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  Data: ERIC
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  Data: 2026
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  Label: Accession Number
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  Data: ED679799
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=ED679799
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 31
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Information Literacy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Freshmen
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Faculty
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Two Year Colleges
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Colleges
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Information Sources
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Ethics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Credibility
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Accuracy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Information Utilization
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Search Strategies
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Libraries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary Secondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Digital Literacy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Technological Literacy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Literacy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Minnesota
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Gaps in Information Literacy Knowledge and Skills among First-Year Postsecondary Students in Minnesota: Key Findings and Recommendations from Interviews with Faculty
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            NameFull: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, Wilder Research
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            NameFull: Anna Granias
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