This document discusses information literacy and its importance as a 21st century survival literacy. It defines information literacy as the ability to recognize when information is needed and to locate, evaluate, and effectively use that information. The document outlines several standards and frameworks for information literacy from organizations like IFLA, ACRL, and Unesco. It also discusses developing an information literacy instruction program in higher education, including getting institutional commitment, creating an action plan, and instruction management. Finally, it provides resources for further information on information literacy.

1. Information Literacy
Instruction in Libraries
Dr. Khalid Mahmood
University of the Punjab
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2. 21st Century “Survival Literacies” (Unesco)
1. Basic or Core functional literacy fluencies of
reading, writing, oralcy and numeracy
2. Computer Literacy
3. Media Literacy
4. Distance Education and E-Learning
5. Cultural Literacy
6. Information Literacy
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3. Information Literacy: Definition
A mean to “empower people in all walks of life to
seek, evaluate, use and create information
effectively to achieve their personal, social,
occupational and educational goals” (Unesco)
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” (ACRL)
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4. IL-Related Terms
 Information fluency – Capability or mastering of
information competencies
 User education – Global approach to teach information
access to users
 Library instruction – Focuses on library skills
 Bibliographic instruction – User training on
information search and retrieval
 Information competencies – Compound skills and
goals of information literacy
 Information skills – Focuses on information abilities
 Development of information skills – Process of
facilitating information skills
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5. Information Literacy Standards (IFLA)
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6. Stages of Information Literacy Life Cycle (Unesco)
1. Realize that a need or problem exists that requires
information its satisfactory resolution.
2. Know how to accurately identify and define the
information needed to meet the need, solve the problem,
or make the decision.
3. Know how to determine whether the needed information
exists or not, and if it does not, know how to create, or
cause to be created the unavailable information (also
referred to as “creating new knowledge”).
4. Know how to find the needed information if you have
determined that it does, indeed, exist.
5. Know how to create, or cause to be created, unavailable
information that you need; sometimes called “creating
new knowledge.”
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7. Stages of Information Literacy Life Cycle (Unesco)
6. Know how to fully understand found information, or know
where to go for help if needed to understand it.
7. Know how to organize, analyze, interpret and evaluate
information, including source reliability.
8. Know how to communicate and present the information
to others in appropriate and usable formats and
mediums.
9. Know how to utilize the information to solve a problem,
make a decision or meet a need.
10. Know how to preserve, store, reuse, record and archive
information for future use.
11. Know how to dispose of information no longer needed,
and safeguard information that should be protected.
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8. IL Competency Standards for Higher
Education (ACRL)
The information literate student…
1. determines the nature and extent of the information
needed.
2. accesses needed information effectively and efficiently.
3. evaluates information and its sources critically and
incorporates selected information into his or her
knowledge base and value system.
4. uses information effectively to accomplish a specific
purpose.
5. understands many of the economic, legal, and social
issues surrounding the use of information and accesses
and uses information ethically and legally.
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9. IL Standards (Australia / New Zealand)
The information literate person
1. recognizes the need for information and determines
the nature and extent of the information needed
2. finds needed information effectively and efficiently
3. critically evaluates information and the information
seeking process
4. manages information collected or generated
5. applies prior and new information to construct new
concepts or create new understandings
6. uses information with understanding and
acknowledges cultural, ethical, economic, legal, and
social issues surrounding the use of information
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10. IL Instruction Program:
Getting Institutional Commitment
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11. IL Instruction Program:
Action Plan
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12. IL Instruction Program:
Instruction Management
 Part of regular faculty/school courses
 Independent curricular courses
 Extra-curricular courses
 Independent short courses
 Courses for faculty/teachers
 Online information literacy instruction
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13. IL Resources: ACRL
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14. IL Resources: IFLA
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15. IL Resources: Unesco
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16. IL Resources: NFIL
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17. IL Resources: IL Website
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18. Thanks for your patience
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