A new definition of Information Literacy And Information Literacy and Learning Librarian for Aberdeenshire Libraries Jacqueline Geekie Public Libraries Representative CILIP Information Literacy Group

CILIP Information Literacy Group Special Interest Group of CILIP Current membership approx. 1,500 Special Interest Group of CILIP Current membership approx. 1,500 Meet 4 times a year at CILIP HQ in London Journal of Information Literacy LILAC (Librarians’ Annual Information Literacy Conference) Bursaries

Background to new definition Why is it needed now? Why did I want to be involved? The CILIP Information Literacy Group created this definition for information literacy to update the definition devised by CILIP in 2004. It was recognised that the theory and practice of information literacy has evolved considerably since then, and we wanted a definition which reflected those changes. We had been told that the IL definition was one of the most viewed pages and we wanted to make sure the definition was fit for the purpose and felt that as we are the IL Group that we were best placed undertake this piece of work. We wanted the new definition to feel relevant to more than just HE and be for anyone who uses and handles information, and not just to information professionals. I wanted to be involved because IL had been viewed as a HE thing and as the Public Libraries Representative on the ILG, I wanted to have the voice of those not in HE heard in the definition.

CILIP Information Literacy Definition 2004 "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."

Timeline March 2016 ILG Committee meeting June 2016 Consultation of ILG Members April 2017 Consultation at LILAC August 2017 Definition completed November 2017 CILIP Board approval April 2018 Launch at LILAC in Liverpool In the March 2016 meeting it was recognised that the IL definition was out of date and a small working group was formed and to report back to the June meeting. In June 2016 we launched the consultation with our members, in April 2017 Jane Secker, our chair and Nick Poole CEO of CILIP ran a session at LILAC. We used all of this information to help form our thinking into the definition.

Member Survey feedback 2016 Positive feedback about moving beyond Higher Education Clear simple language Acknowledge the world has changed Digital literacy E-safety Copyright awareness Critical thinking

LILAC feedback 2017 Plain language A definition for all, not just professionals Informed citizens "Having the ability to navigate information in an uncertain world" LILAC 2017 by LILAC Conference is licensed under (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

What’s new? High level definition Secondary statement Contexts The role of information professionals This is not a short definition. It has 4 elements. High level definition – which can easily be quoted. Secondary statement – to give supporting information to the definition explaining further what Information Literacy is Contexts – I’ll come on to in a minute The role of Information professionals – this is an important element, especially then there has been an erosion in school and public libraries of the professional Librarian. They are needed to advocate, support an and enable information literacy. Librarians don’t just do this in isolation and works best in collaboration with other professionals to embed Information Literacy.

Information Literacy and Everyday Life Checking information online Online transactions Behave ethically online Social media Digital footprint Privacy

Information Literacy and Citizenship How to understand the world around us? Recognise bias and misinformation Fake news Critical judgement Making informed choices in elections and referendums Fake News and Alternative Facts

Information Literacy and Education All stages of education School, Further Education and Higher Education Critical thinking skills Transition from school to Higher Education Equips learners with intellectual strategies

Information Literacy and the Workplace Knowing when and how to use information To help achieve organizational aims To add value Interpret work related information Contributes to employability Teamworking Problem solving Analytical skills

Information Literacy and Health Finding reliable sources of health information Making it easier (Scotland) Different techniques to ensure understanding

CILIP Definition of Information Literacy 2018 “Information literacy is the ability to think critically and make balanced judgements about any information we find and use. It empowers us as citizens to develop informed views and to engage fully with society.”

@infolitgroup @Jacque97 LILAC University of Liverpool 4 - 6 April 2018