Lecture note 1 Information Literacy
The purpose of this chapter is to understand the importance of information literacy
and the usefulness of information literacy skills, which are necessary both for successful
completion of your study and for life after graduation. This chapter will cover the following
topics:
1.1 Why information overload?
With the advent of the Information Age it seems that there is too much information
for us to absorb. The increase in publishing, the growth of news and other media, the advances
in worldwide communications and the explosion of information on the Internet contribute to the
sense that finding the information we need is just about impossible.
1.2 What is information literacy?
Information literacy has been defined as being able to “recognize when information is
needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate and use effectively the needed
information.” (American Library Association, 1989)
Why is information literacy important?
Information literacy is critically important because we are surrounded by a growing
ocean of information in all formats. Not all information is created equal: some is authoritative,
current, reliable, but some is biased, out of date, misleading, and false. The amount of
information available is going to keep increasing. The types of technology used to access,
manipulate, and create information will likewise expand.
How will we use information literacy skills?
Information literacy skills are used for academic purposes, such as research papers
and group presentations. They're used on the job—the ability to find, evaluate, use and share
information is an essential skill. Consumer decisions, such as which car or vacuum cleaner to
purchase, are critical. You'll also use these skills by participating fully in a democratic society
as an informed citizen by understanding issues and voting. (Information literacy, 2012)
What are the qualifications of information literate students?
Information literate students can locate materials in a variety of formats (online, text
based, video, etc.); revise their search strategies if they cannot find the information they
need; evaluate and organize information; and they are developing essential 21st century skills
for lifelong learning.
GE1201 Information Literacy Skills 2
1.3 A Strategy for Using Information Literacy Skills
Information literacy will help us to develop knowledge and skills necessary both for
successful completion of our study and for life after graduation.
To be information literate, you must know how to use the tools and services available in
the library and on the Internet. You must also know how to evaluate the information that you
find. This process will allow you to create new ideas, which you communicate to others using a
variety of technological tools.
The following flowchart shows a strategy for using information literacy skills.
(Iannuzzi, Mangrum, & Strichart, l999, p. 9)
7
Finding Information
places to GO Library Internet
tools to USE Library Catalogs Abstracts & Indexes World Wide Web
(WWW)
Online Card Print Electronic Databases
Catalog Catalog Indexes (e.g. CD ROM,WWW)
what to GET Book and other Articles in magazines, Web pages
materials owned journals, and
by the library newspapers
what to DO with it Evaluate and Select
to use effectively
12 May 2011 GE1201Information literacy skills/Supatra S.
The library is the first place you should GO to find information. The library has tools to
USE to identify materials found there. The library also has tools to use to identify information
in sources not owned by the library.
Most of the tools you use in libraries are in electronic format, such as online catalog and
electronic databases. The library may still have some important tools in print format, such as
card catalog and print indexes.
In the library you can GET books, magazines, journals, and other materials that contain
information. Most of the books and other materials available in libraries are in print format,
although newspaper and journal articles increasingly are being made available in electronic
format.
GE1201 Information Literacy Skills 3
The Internet is another place you can GO to find information. The Internet is a
worldwide network of large computers. Information is available on computers connected to this
network. The Internet allows you to use a personal computer to connect to and use information
on this network. Anyone with access to the Internet can publish information on it.
The WWW is the most important tool to USE to find information on the Internet. On
the WWW you GET web pages that contain information. Databases for articles are beginning to
be made available on the WWW, but they cost money. Many libraries are beginning to subscribe
these electronic databases on the WWW and make them available for their users.
There are 3 major tools to USE to identify and locate information:
1. Library Catalogs
2. Abst