Birdsong Information Services

Through the University of Washington's Information School and Information & Society Center, (Information Literacy Initiative ), the Information Literacy Initiative provides direct services to individuals who are out of school and need help learning how to find quality information. Using research developed at the Information School, the Information Literacy Initiative's current trainings are for entreprenuers, patrons in a public library, small-medium size business owners, women without homes, youth labeled at-risk and adults over 55. Trainings can be customized for the group and subject matter. Trainings show how to use the information literacy techniques for the subject matter and group demogrpahics, allow time for the indiviudals to practice while learning, and include materials to reinforce teachings after the workshop is completed. 

IN PFAC® is the model developed by Lark Birdsong for information literacy training that is currently provided to populations that have been left out of information literacy training in their schools, universities or in life.  IN PFAC® is based upon the concepts of the Big6 (http://www.big6.com/) by Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz.

IN PFAC® is used to gain a mind set for solving questions and information needs.  IN PFAC® gives the seeker of information a method to solve the questions, a mind set to stay in focus while seeking and an outcome of gained productivity.

IN = Information Needs & IN Focus

(IN stands for anything that needs knowing and for staying focused IN the question)

1. Does something need an answer, what needs knowing (an information need)?
2. Is need on-going, one time or occasional?
3. How “big” is the need?
4. When there is an information need, stay focused (IN) the topic throughout the process.

P = Plan

1. What is the question?
2. What type of information is needed?
3. What are some of the key words, similar words, and concepts?
4. Where are some possible information sources?
5. Which are the best sources of information for the question?

F = Find

1. Go find sources.
2. Use search techniques that are efficient and effective.
3. Determine if information needs to be saved, and if so, how?
4. Look for information inside quality sources.
5. Ask what information is useful in each source.

A = Analyze

1. Read, hear, touch, and view the information.
2. Plan how to present information.
3. Determine if there is a need to share information and if so, how and with whom.
4. Plan how best to use and organize the information.
5. Evaluate the source and determine validity for my question.
6. Determine if more information is needed or if time to stop and move on to other things.

C = Conclude

1. Organize information into a useful format.
2. Present the information, (even if only to yourself).
3. Determine if the information answered question, if the information found was needed and is more needed?
4. Determine if the way the process was useful and efficient.
5. Share the information if needed.