Why Information Literacy Matters More Than Ever

In this episode of the CETL Podcast, host Jonathan Chenoweth sits down with Angie Cox, Associate Professor at UNI’s Rod Library and liaison librarian for several Health Sciences departments, to explore the evolving role of information literacy in higher education. Angie shares how information literacy connects with other key literacies—digital, media, data, and AI—while emphasizing the core skills of finding, evaluating, using, and creating information ethically. She explains how disciplinary contexts shape the ways students and faculty engage with information, and why understanding those differences is essential for effective teaching and learning. The conversation highlights the collaborative role of liaison librarians, who move beyond one-time classroom visits to become long-term partners in the design of courses and assignments. Angie reflects on how the rapid rise of AI literacy is reshaping classroom dynamics, introducing new complexities around privacy, access, ethics, and instructional time. She also discusses the librarian’s role as both a resource and a teaching partner—helping faculty refine assignments, guide students, and navigate a shifting information landscape with confidence and care.