Information Literacy Instruction in Libraries Dr. Khalid Mahmood University of the Punjab

21st Century “Survival Literacies” (Unesco) Basic or Core functional literacy fluencies of reading, writing, oralcy and numeracy Computer Literacy Media Literacy Distance Education and E-Learning Cultural Literacy Information Literacy

Information Literacy: Definition A mean to “empower people in all walks of life to seek, evaluate, use and create information effectively to achieve their personal, social, occupational and educational goals” (Unesco) 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” (ACRL)

IL-Related Terms Information fluency – Capability or mastering of information competencies User education – Global approach to teach information access to users Library instruction – Focuses on library skills Bibliographic instruction – User training on information search and retrieval Information competencies – Compound skills and goals of information literacy Information skills – Focuses on information abilities Development of information skills – Process of facilitating information skills

IL Role of Libraries Repository of knowledge Information reservoir in multiple formats Center with librarians who are information experts Department with learning spaces Place for interaction with learning peers and teams Space for knowledge socialization Place with information advisers / reference specialists and consultants Center with computer access, processing and communication of knowledge Gateway to the Internet, a world of information

Information Literacy Standards (IFLA)

Stages of Information Literacy Life Cycle (Unesco) Realize that a need or problem exists that requires information its satisfactory resolution. Know how to accurately identify and define the information needed to meet the need, solve the problem, or make the decision. 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”). Know how to find the needed information if you have determined that it does, indeed, exist. Know how to create, or cause to be created, unavailable information that you need; sometimes called “creating new knowledge.”

Stages of Information Literacy Life Cycle (Unesco) Know how to fully understand found information, or know where to go for help if needed to understand it. Know how to organize, analyze, interpret and evaluate information, including source reliability. Know how to communicate and present the information to others in appropriate and usable formats and mediums. Know how to utilize the information to solve a problem, make a decision or meet a need. Know how to preserve, store, reuse, record and archive information for future use. Know how to dispose of information no longer needed, and safeguard information that should be protected.

IL Competency Standards for Higher Education (ACRL) The information literate student… determines the nature and extent of the information needed. accesses needed information effectively and efficiently. evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system. uses information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose. understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally.

IL Standards (Australia / New Zealand) The information literate person recognizes the need for information and determines the nature and extent of the information needed finds needed information effectively and efficiently critically evaluates information and the information seeking process manages information collected or generated applies prior and new information to construct new concepts or create new understandings uses information with understanding and acknowledges cultural, ethical, economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information

IL Instruction Program: Getting Institutional Commitment

IL Instruction Program: Action Plan

IL Instruction Program: Instruction Management Part of regular faculty/school courses Independent curricular courses Extra-curricular courses Independent short courses Courses for faculty/teachers Online information literacy instruction

IL Instruction Program: Staff Development

IL Resources: ACRL

IL Resources: IFLA

IL Resources: Unesco

IL Resources: NFIL

IL Resources: IL Website

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