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Information Literacy Defined

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Information Literacy Defined


"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."       

- American Library Association 


Information literacy

  • comprises the competencies to recognize information needs and to locate, evaluate, apply and create information within cultural and social contexts;
  • is crucial to the competitive advantage of individuals, enterprises (especially small and medium enterprises), regions and nations;
  • provides the key to effective access, use and creation of content to support economic development, education, health and human services, and all other aspects of contemporary societies, and thereby provides the vital foundation for fulfilling the goals of the Millennium Declaration and the World Summit on the Information Society; and
  • extends beyond current technologies to encompass learning, critical thinking and interpretative skills across professional boundaries and empowers individuals and communities. Within the context of the developing Information Society, we urge governments and intergovernmental organizations to pursue policies and programs to promote information literacy and lifelong learning. In particular, we ask them to support

- International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)


The Alexandria Proclamation of 2005 describes information literacy and lifelong learning as the "beacons of the Information Society, illuminating the courses to development, prosperity and freedom. Information literacy empowers people in all walks of life to seek, evaluate, use and create information effectively to achieve their personal, social, occupational and educational goals. It is a basic human right in a digital world and promotes social inclusion in all nations."

- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization


“Do not believe all that you hear and see.Always check the original source of information.”

- Lailah Gifty Akita


"My guess is about 300 years until computers are as good as, say, your local reference library in doing search," ... "But we can make slow and steady progress, and maybe one day we'll get there."

- Craig Silverstein, Google's Director of Technology and Google Employee #1