• Stage Two: Know how to accurately identify and define the
information needed to meet the need, solve the problem, or
make the decision.
While you may know in general terms the kind of information you
need to solve a problem, meet a challenge, or take a decision (e.g.
broadly speaking, “health information” to deal with a sickness; or
“fi nancial advice information” to deal with a fi nancial problem), the
librarian is fond of pointing out that there are certain “tricks,” conventions
and rules regarding the terminology that ideally you should use.
Sometimes this skill is also referred to as “searchable” terms.
• Stage Three: Know how to determine whether the needed
information exists or not, and if it does not, know how to
create, or cause to be created the unavailable information
(also referred to as “creating new knowledge”).
This is where library reference tools and search engines come into
play and “do their best work.” If, for example, you do a Google search
and fi nd absolutely nothing on the topic you are searching for, then
you must turn to more conventional library tools to help. If you were
near a public library for example, asking for the assistance of a reference
librarian would be a wise move. But as you can see from the
Annex B diagram, you might also locate a subject-matter expert in
the fi eld or area for which you are searching for information. Or, there
are expert information brokers who could assist you. Or, perhaps
there is a mentor in your community, school, church, or other place
that you might consult.
• Stage Four: Know how to find the needed information if you
have determined that it does, indeed, exist.
This is where having done your “homework” by attending an information
literacy workshop will come in handy. Or, short of having been
able to physically attend such training, perhaps you will have located
an online tutorial that teaches you how to search for information
known to exist.