During the same period in which the general higher education community was increasing its overall focus on first-year student success, the fields of library and information science were pursuing a more holistic approach to development of overall information abilities by moving away from tool-based library skills instruction toward a more generalized emphasis on information literacy. This article considers the unique intersection of these two growing areas of interest in higher education as they influence curricula intended for first-year students; it also invites faculty to consider how they might synergistically develop the information abilities and enhance the academic experience of those who are entering a new intellectual community as they enroll in their first year of college. (Contains 1 table.)