Information Literacy
Information literacy has been known by many different names: library orientation; bibliographic instruction; user education; information skills training. Each has built on the other. Library orientation concentrates on how to use a physical building and bibliographic instruction and user education on the mechanics of using particular resources. Information skills training and finally information literacy concentrates on cognitive and transferable skills, such as problem solving, evaluation and communication skills.
In the UK, information literacy is defined by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals as:
"Information literacy is knowing when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner."
Why Information Literacy is essential to libraries
The right information to the right person at the right time is the key to success for any organisation. Libraries employ staff with the expertise to locate, retrieve and exploit information in order to:- enable easy access to information resources in all formats while taking responsibility for its currency and relevance
- identify and acquire the materials of most relevance
- organise those materials in an easily accessible manner
- train staff to access and exploit relevant information resources in the most effective way
- take the lead in raising the levels of information literacy within the organisation
Information literacy skills allow library and information professionals to create, develop and manage a library or information unit which meets the specific information needs of their organisation.
Updated by the CSG IL Group on 21 August 2008