STEM-Undergraduate Understanding of PIM (Personal Information Management)

Abstract

Is undergraduate understanding of personal information management (PIM) important to STEM higher education and students’ futures? A review of the literature provides a narrow focus on undergraduates. How can academic libraries and librarians define their work to support PIM? Should there be intentional learning opportunities for undergraduates? What is the next step in digital/information literacy? As librarians expand their skills to actively include PIM in their interactions with patrons/students, this changes library services. This change can be described as moving the organizational structures of yesterday’s library into the new technologies as students and patrons adopt their own information management skills. Stem undergraduates, as individuals practice PIM and are active-information managers, accessing a configuration of individualized e-tools, selected resources, links and personal organization to support intellectual events and life choices. The individual adapts, upgrades, and organizes for self-awareness, efficacy and actualization. The individual relies on the ability to adapt and reskill in support of a continually dynamic environment. Subject specialties and academic programs provide greater needs for STEM-undergraduates to build individual understanding and flexible PIM resources. The poster discusses the available content and possible curricular implications to support PIM.