The Information Literacy Scholars Program is an eight-week program designed to inform, instruct, and inspire a small cohort of UF Innovation Academy students to take control of the information they receive and disseminate in their field of study. Information literacy is the ‘set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning.’ Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.
Each week, students will engage in small group discussion and planning to eventually lead to a presentation on a topic of their choice, focusing on fact-based, current research. Led by Smathers Libraries employees, students will receive one-on-one guidance to become a responsible steward of knowledge.
Participants who complete the program will earn a Credly digital badge and a certificate of completion.
This collaboration has earned the distinction of the 2026 UF Superior Accomplishment Division-Level Award! The team also presented a poster at the 2025 Association of College and Research Libraries conference in Minneapolis, the premier and highly competitive event for academic and research librarians in the United States. The poster, which was also made available online to all attendees, may have reached up to 3000 attendees.
About Innovation Academy: The University of Florida Innovation Academy (IA) was developed to equip students with the 21st-century skills needed to thrive in an innovative culture. IA is an undergraduate spring/summer program that teaches innovation through an innovation minor embedded in +25 majors across seven colleges, and we offer vast co-curricular experiences including a living-learning community and multiple program-specific student organizations. Given our unique schedule, IA students have the opportunity to enjoy Fall co-curricular activities, pursue internships, study abroad, or enjoy the break at home.
About the UF Libraries: The UF Libraries collaborate with UF faculty, students and staff, as well as the University’s collaborators and constituents, to facilitate knowledge creation that contributes to UF’s standing as a preeminent public research university. The Libraries encourage creativity and inquiry necessary to support the University’s global ambitions and play an important role in attracting and retaining top students, faculty and staff.
For more information, contact Alex Avelino (aavelino@ufl.edu)
