‘Information Literacy’ – a core competency for the 21st century library

Terry O’BrienDeputy Librarian, WIT

LibrariesMember of LAI NWGIL

tpobrien@wit.ie

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Information Literacy (IL) – a brief overview

Working Group on Information Literacy (WGIL) – work to date

Information Literacy Background What is Information Literacy Why do we need Information

Literacy IL activity Some challenges and issues

Background Relatively new concept Ridgeway (1990) – “hot topic” Snavely & Cooper

(“The IL Debate”, JAL:1997) “Fad”, “trendy phase”, “slippery” Use of term – recommended,

embraced? Literature reviews:

- Rader (Library Trends:2002)- Virkus (Information Research:2003)

Concept The skills necessary to locate, access, and

use information in today’s society Information literacy is a natural extension

of the concept of literacy in our information society, and information literacy education is the catalyst required to transform the information society of today into the learning society of tomorrow. (Bruce, 2004)

Transferable skill Promotes and supports independent

learning Lifelong learning Ethical use of information

What is Information Literacy “The set of skills needed to find,

retrieve, analyze, and use information.“ (ACRL, 2006)

"To be information literate, a person must be able to recognise when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information." (American Library Association, 1998)

"Information literacy is an understanding and set of abilities enabling individuals to 'recognise when information is needed and have the capacity to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information'." (CAUL, 2004)

Information literacy is knowing when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner.(CILIP)

IL potentially involves, inter alia Learning outcomes

and frameworks Access, Locate,

Evaluate Critical thinking Ethics, Referencing,

Copyright, Plagiarism – turnitin

Ethos – INTEGRATED approach throughout library functions

Moving towards ‘corporate literacy’

Expertise Multiple formats Accreditation Embedding Blended learning Uncertainty Core library

competency

Why do we need IL

“ .. skills of critical thinking, research and evaluation are

increasingly required to make sense of the world”.

(Horizon Report, UK, 2007)

“ .. skills of critical thinking, research and evaluation are

increasingly required to make sense of the world”.

(Horizon Report, UK, 2007)

Why do we need to do IL Relevance General literacy skill levels poor Information overload, data smog,

information anxiety – Google generation. information=web

Transferable skills, employable skills Information literate citizens User-created content – “cult of the

amateur” – needed more than ever – evaluation and critical thinking skills

IL activity Literature - widespread Topical - “Information literacy is

receiving increasing attention worldwide” (Webber, 2007)

“cause” (Hollister, 2007) Core feature of what libraries do Design, write and deliver programmes Pilots / Academic champions Online tutorials / VLEs / 1-2-1 /

classroom style etc./ Drop-in’s

Some challenges Web 2.0 – “carve out their own

information landscapes” (Godwin, 2007)

Semesterisation Internationalisation Technology – e.g.VLE’s MetaSearching Library Staff Academic Staff

Issues Expectations Integration Compulsion Pedagogy, teaching skills Literacy – poor skills, post 2nd level Assessment / accreditation Role definition, payment Sole property of librarians?

Working Group on Information Literacy (WGIL)

Raison d’etre Terms of reference of the group Composition of the group Work to date Where we are at the moment

Part IIPart II

Why is there a WGIL? LAI AGM proposed by Exec. board

Recognition of importance of IL in independent learning, as a transferable skill, to lifelong learning etc.

Established Jan. 2006

“that this AGM calls ..adopt a standard for Information skills; lobby to ensure government is made aware of the need for and the value of Information skills; lobby government to recognise and affirm the role of Libraries in the delivery of maintenance of Information skills”

“that this AGM calls ..adopt a standard for Information skills; lobby to ensure government is made aware of the need for and the value of Information skills; lobby government to recognise and affirm the role of Libraries in the delivery of maintenance of Information skills”

WGIL Call to all sectors. Open to LAI members Membership (10) – Academic & Special,

Schools, Public, Health, University, DepLIS – UCD. Practitioners

Cross-sectoral key objective. Recognise Diversity, common goal. An LAI group

Establish role – “to recommend strategies for the development of information skills at both a theoretical and practical level in LIS sector in Ireland”.

Role cont. Generate recommendations Examine international best

practice and standards Produce sectoral-based report

based on current IL activity Raise awareness, heighten

profile ADVOCACY Seminar / Conference

Terms of reference To recommend appropriate guidelines

for the practical development of information skills education

..strategies for promoting and raising awareness

..further development opportunities for research and action

..actions for strategic positioning of information skills in context of lifelong learning on government agenda

Work to date Met quarterly (7) Finalised membership of group and

clarified objectives Reviewed definitions – recommend

adoption of CILIP (2004) as a working definition

Reviewed standards for developing programmes. Recommend adoption of ANZIIL IL framework (2004)

Practicality and flexibility

Dissemination and advocacy Presentation to Exec Board LAI Sought formal recognition from LAI LAI website content e-Leabharlann Attendance at IL seminar DCU (2006) Attendance at LILAC (2007) Manchester,

UK – present at 2008? Presentation from Ellen Breen (DCU) on

behalf of CONUL Article on SCONUL Focus (in press) NDLR – ANTLC - InfoTeach wiki - RLO’s

Where from now Guidelines and template established for

sectoral report – work ongoing National seminar (LAI / CONUL?) Develop database of relevant IL

stakeholders Continued advocacy and awareness raising Full group status; affiliate to UK and

International Groups, CONUL Support for further research Formally present report /

recommendations end of 2007

Some further research … CONUL Information Literacy section CILIP IL sub-group (CSG) IFLA IL Resources Directory SCONUL on IL SCONUL Seven Pillars IL website (UK groups) American Library Association on IL Australian & New Zealand Institute for Informa

tion Literacy (ANZIIL) JISC i-Skills

More Journal of Information Literacy Communications in Information Literacy LILAC (UK) Michael Lorenzen Blog Peter Godwin Blog Information Literacy Weblog Susie Andretta, Bill & Sheila Weber,

Christina Bruce, Peter Godwin, Ross Todd.

Library and Information Update LIFESTEPS

Also worth a look:

(Online) journals, conferences, blogs,authors

Also worth a look:

(Online) journals, conferences, blogs,authors

Thank you for your attention

THE BOOK

“Information literacy isn't just about finding information; it is a true catalyst

for educational change. It enables independent lifelong learning”

(From Information Literacy : recognising the need, Conference Proceedings.

‘Recognising the need’ -Walton & Pope (Chandos,

2006)

Terry O’Brien,Deputy

LibrarianLuke

Wadding Library

WIT Libraries051-302845

tpobrien@wit.ie

Terry O’Brien,Deputy

LibrarianLuke

Wadding Library

WIT Libraries051-302845

tpobrien@wit.ie