What's a good definition of 'information literacy'?
According to the American Library Association, "Information literacy is 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.'"
Further, as academic libraries, Madison College Libraries are committed to moving students toward the Association of College & Research Libraries' new 'Framework for Information Literacy', adopted in January of 2016 by the ACRL Board.
In the below diagram, you will notice that to be truly 'information literate' requires that you simultaneously develop:
- awareness of how you engage with the digital world
- how you find meaning in the information you discover
- how to articulate what kind of information you require
- how to use information ethically
- understand the role you can play in the communication in your profession and
- how you evaluate information for credibility and authority.