An Introduction to Information Literacy Anne Hannaford Director of Information and Learning Services, UCW

What is Information Literacy?  “An information literate person is one who is able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate and effectively use the needed information” American Library Association 1989  Encompasses IT skills and information skills

QAA Subject Benchmark for Computing  recognises importance of lifelong ‘transferable skills’ – Effective information-retrieval skills (including the use of browsers, search engines and catalogues).  ‘learning in the future is likely to revolve around the use and exploitation of electronic material.. for the present, academics face the challenge of how to teach this and how to assess it.’

Development of the concept  Term first used in 1974  Paul Zurkowski, Information Industry Association (IIA), – viewed a growing need for better handling and use of the increasing proliferation of information in the workplace. – Recognised the need to be able to use tools as well as information sources

ILit within the H.E. sector  1970s – definitions began to emerge from librarians and the education sector  1980s - new information technologies began to be recognized as an important feature of information literacy.  mid 1980's, academic librarians began to view user education programs in terms of information literacy rather than information skills  1999 SCONUL model

Current trends  Move towards institutional strategies / policies for ILit  Embedding in curricula  Work on assessing / evaluating effectiveness  New delivery methods –e.g.VLEs

Models  ACRL (USA) – teracycompetency.htm – detailed outcomes but does not indicate the level of skill  SCONUL (UK) – n_pillars2.pdf – assumes progression through levels

SCONUL 7 pillars model Basic Library Skills IT Skills Information literacy Recognise information need Distinguish ways of addressing gap Construct strategies for locating Locate and access Compare and evaluate Organise, apply and communicate Synthesise and create Novice Advanced beginner Competent Proficient Expert

Issues in H.E.  ILit often not recognised at institutional level – Even if it is, confusion about what it is, especially compared to IT skills – ILit not included in Dearing key skills  One off sessions vs. integration into the curriculum  ‘web searching is easy’ attitude  Belief that students will ‘pick up’ skills  Difficulties in assessing / evaluating skills  Who delivers? – status of library staff Webber (2002)