Information Literacy

What is Information Literacy?

Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” (American Library Association. Presidential Committee on Information Literacy. https://www.ala.org/acrl/publications/whitepapers/presidential) To be information literate, then, one needs skills not only in research but in critical thinking.

ALA Resources

  • The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) has taken the lead in developing information literacy resources; chief among these is the Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education.
  • The Framework Toolkit is intended as a freely available professional development resource that can be used and adapted by both individuals and groups in order to foster understanding and use of the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. http://acrl.libguides.com/framework/toolkit
  • Being information literate includes the ability to distinguish fact from fiction—an essential skill given the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation. ALA’s Public Programs Office has compiled a collection of resources to help libraries deliver programming about fake news.

Resources

Tools

Readings