1. Information Literacy
Sajjad ur Rehman

2. What Is Information Literacy?
Empowering individuals in becoming self-reliant information users
Developing skills and attitudes for life-long use, consumption and application of information

3. Terminology and Variations
Information literacy
Computer literacy
Library and information skills
Orientation
Bibliographic instruction
User education

4. Information Literates
In order for a person to be information literate, one must be able to recognize when information is needed and should have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use the needed information effectively.
Information literates are those who have learned how to learn, as they know how information is organized, found, located, used and applied in personal, professional, and other areas.

5. Why? Users have time pressures and other constraints
Focus on cost effectiveness
Specialized needs of users
Need of sophisticated users for independence
(contd.)

6. Why User Education? Focus on personalized use in certain environments
Changes in information resources and services and information technologies

7. Activities Levels of needs and related programs:
Orientation activities
Organized tours
Special purpose training programs
Credit and non-credit courses for beginners
Advanced bibliographic resource courses
Computer-assisted instruction
Help features
Web-based applications

8. Considerations Untraditional One-to-one basis Focused
Emphasis on cost effectiveness
Constraints of human resources

9. Orientation
Welcoming and introducing actual and potential users to the set-up, resources, services, physical layout, organization of materials, specialized resources and services

10. Content of Orientation
Varies from setting to setting
Important areas
Resources
Services
Basic rules and regulations
Access mechanics: locating items, ILL/DD
Physical setup
Special collections

11. Exposure to Specialized Resources (1)
In-house resources
Technical reports
Documents
Archives
Specialized reports
Patents and standards

12. Exposure to Specialized Resources (2)
Electronic resources in different formats
Internet as a resource
Special databases
In-house
External

13. Exposure to Specialized Services
Use of portals for searching OPACs and databases
Use of networked information resources through LAN
Use of telecommunication utilities
Use of Internet
Use of CAS
Use of DD Services
Use of other specialized services

14. Methods Lectures/presentations Demonstrations Use of portals
Computer assisted instruction
Case studies
Involvement in projects
Use of electronic bulletin boards and similar means

15. Information Literacy Program
Needs Assessment
external
Internal
Formulation of goals and objectives
General
Terminal
Enabling

16. Information Literacy Program
Planning
Devising, evaluating and testing
Choosing methods and materials
Developing materials
Staffing
Management and conduct
Evaluation

17. Information Literacy Program
Client-Centered Program
Collaboration with the teacher
Reviewing available resources
Working out objectives
Analysis of the background of clients
Instructional possibilities and interventions by the teacher
Developing program
Evaluating program

18. Developing Instructional Materials
Teaching aids, handouts, exercises, Web materials
Criteria
readability, simplicity, brevity, accuracy, attractiveness. consistency, flexibility, suitability, cost-effectiveness, ease of use
Slides
Videos
Portals/websites

19. Integrated Courses Working with instructors
Providing instruction which is related to project or term paper
Instruction on searching and use of information
Combined grading

20. Independent courses Required or elective courses
Combination of computer and information literacy and library skills
Needed resources
faculty
laboratories
instructional aids

21. Advanced Bibliographic Courses
Uncommon in academic institutions
Meant for graduate students
Taught by subject specialists
Content covering subject structure, bibliographic tools, searching, documentation, etc.