What is information Literacy?

Information Literacy is knowing what information you need, how to find it, evaluate it, and use it effectively.

INFORMATION LITERACY IN ACTION

In the financial world, networks, online databases, and telecommunications have created a twenty-four hours workday with a workplace the size of a computer screen. Workers in this dynamic environment must know what information they need, how to find it, analyze it, and dispatch it quickly.

In the critical area of research and development, databases instantaneously search patents and existing research, avoiding the costly mistake of duplication.

Individuals and citizen action groups search community information files and other sources to enable informed decision-making and to draw together information to influence public policy-making.

Why is Information Literacy important to us? 

• To meet the constantly changing requirements of our jobs and to meet our family and community needs, we must be able to use information effectively to solve problems and to make decisions, whether the information comes from a person, a computer, an online service, a book, a government agency, a film, or any other possible resource.

• Everyone is experiencing an information explosion and today's jobs are changing, requiring people to learn new skills throughout their careers.

• In American industry and business, reorganization is pushing authority into the hands of the front line workers requiring them to think, judge, and make more decisions.

• In a democracy, we must be informed and involved in the issues so decisions can be reached based on understanding the alternatives or choices being offered.

• When conflicting "facts" saturate all aspects of an issue, information literacy enables us to recognize deception and disinformation so we can make truly "informed" decisions.

• Students and researchers need to know what kinds of information is appropriate and for what purposes it can be used.

• By raising people's awareness of their need for access to information, information literacy can bridge the gap between the information haves and have nots, thus enriching all of our lives.

Who needs Information Literacy?

EVERYONE! Information literate people are those who have learned how to learn. They know how information is organized, how to find information, and how to use information in such a way that others can learn from them. They are the ones prepared to take advantage of the information superhighway.

How do I learn more about Information Literacy?

To learn more about how Information Literacy can benefit you and your organization, contact the National Forum on Information Literacy, a broad-based group of over 65 organizations, which represents schools, government agencies, and businesses. The Forum is committed to information literacy as a means of individual empowerment. It meets several times a year in Washington, D.C.

The National Forum on Information Literacy 
c/o The American Library Association 
50 East Huron St. 
Chicago, 11,60611

Phone: 800-545-2433
ext. 3248 or 4386

Fax: 312-280-2520
        312-664-7459

E-mail: ACRL@ala.org 
             AASL@ala.org 

To electronically access the American Library Association Presidential Committee on Information Literacy, Final Report (http://gopher.ala.org  or http://www.ala.org )