CILIP Definition of Information Literacy 2018 - Information Literacy Group
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CILIP Definition of Information Literacy 2018
2
INFORMATION LITERACY GROUP
Definition of
Information Literacy
Information literacy Information literacy incorporates a set
of skills and abilities which everyone
is the ability to think needs to undertake information-related
tasks; for instance, how to discover,
critically and make access, interpret, analyse, manage,
create, communicate, store and share
balanced judgements information. But it is much more than
that: it concerns the application of the
about any information competencies, attributes and
confidence needed to make the best
we find and use. use of information and to interpret it
judiciously. It incorporates critical
thinking and awareness, and an
understanding of both the ethical
It empowers us as and political issues associated with
using information.
citizens to reach and Information literacy relates to
express informed information in all its forms: not just print,
but also digital content, data, images
views and to engage and the spoken word. Information
literacy is associated and overlaps with
fully with society. other literacies, including specifically
digital literacy, academic literacy and
media literacy. It is not a stand-alone
concept, and is aligned with other areas
of knowledge and understanding.
Information literacy helps to understand
the ethical and legal issues associated
with the use of information, including
privacy, data protection, freedom of
information, open access/open data
and intellectual property. Importantly,
information literacy is empowering, and
is an important contributor to
democratic, inclusive, participatory
societies; as interpreted by UNESCO, it
is a universal human right.
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CILIP DEFINITION OF INFORMATION LITERACY
Contexts
In addition, information literacy is
also relevant when conducting online
transactions, with a need for awareness
of internet security measures. Critical
thinking skills are essential for avoiding
online and phone scams and guarding
against fraudulent transactions.
Information Literacy helps
individuals to behave ethically in their
online activities, allowing them to be
Information Literacy and mindful of the information they use and
Information Literacy and
Everyday life share about themselves and others on Citizenship
all types of online platforms, including
Information Literacy may be deployed social media. IL allows individuals to acquire
in everyday life without individuals This includes an understanding and develop their understanding
knowing that they are making use of of the concept of a ‘digital footprint’, of the world around them; to reach
it – for instance, by checking hotel the traces that are left behind as informed views; where appropriate,
reviews on travel review websites individuals consume and create to challenge, credibly and in an
or comparing insurance policy information. It provides people with informed way assumptions or
options. It is also about understanding strategies for managing their online orthodoxies (including one’s own),
the limitation of these online identity and shaping it in a way they feel and even authority; to recognise
resources, how they may be subject comfortable with, taking into account bias and misinformation; and
to manipulation and the need to be issues of privacy and personal safety of thereby to be engaged citizens,
discerning about their value. themselves, and others. able to play a full part in democratic
life and society. Information literacy
helps to address social exclusion,
by providing disadvantaged
or marginalised groups with
the means of making sense
of the world around them and
participating in society.
In a global environment
where ‘fake news’ has become
a recognised term, an ability to
display critical judgement about
multiple information sources,
particularly online, is crucial.
Whether in relation to conventional
news outlets, social media, internet
searches or simply information
communicated orally, information
literacy helps to reach views
about the reliability and authority
of information sources. In these
ways too, information literacy
reinforces democracy and civic
engagement. Information literacy,
along with media literacy,
underpins ethical journalism.
1
The International Baccalaureate is education for students
from age 3 to 19, that focuses on teaching students to
think critically and independently, and how to inquire with
care and logic. It is taught in over 5000 schools in over 150
countries, including the UK. Further information is available
at: http://www.ibo.org/
2
This is a standalone qualification and is often taken
by students to in addition to their A level studies. The
EPQ helps students to develop and demonstrate their
project management skills and provides opportunities
for extended writing. Further information is available at:
https://qips.ucas.com/qip/extended-project-qualification-
epq
3
ACRL (2016) Framework for Information Literacy in
Higher Education. Available at: http://www.ala.org/acrl/
standards/ilframework (Accessed 21 February 2018)
4INFORMATION LITERACY GROUP
It has particular relevance for those It enables learners to engage in deep
students involved in enquiry-based learning - perceiving relationships
learned learning such as those enrolled between important ideas, asking novel
on the International Baccalaureate1 and questions, and pursuing innovative lines
the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)2 of thought.
which is an extended piece of work This active and critical way of learning
on a topic chosen by the student and encourages pupils and students to quickly
supervised by their teacher. Information master factual and descriptive elements of
literacy also helps students navigate content (‘What’ and ‘How’) and then move
the transition from school to further and on to investigate higher-level aspects
higher education. such as source, degree of authority,
In Higher Education, information possibility of bias, and what it means in
Information Literacy and literacy contributes to academic the wider context. It is in line, for instance,
Education competencies, research methodologies with the English National Curriculum
and an understanding of plagiarism. In aim to equip students “to ask perceptive
Information literacy applies to all stages common with the Association of College questions, think critically, weigh evidence,
of learning, formal and informal, covering and Research Libraries (ACRL)3, we sift arguments, and develop perspective
schools (primary and secondary), further regard information literacy education as and judgement.” 4
education (FE), higher education (HE) a series of ‘threshold concepts’ that allow Importantly, information literacy equips
and, crucially, lifelong learning – students to discover new ways of thinking learners at every level with the intellectual
information literacy does not cease with and new knowledge. Information literacy strategies and tools such as adopting a
formal education. underpins transferable and employability questioning approach, not only to solve
Information literacy can enhance and skills, equipping students as part of problems, but also to frame problems and
enrich a range of taught subjects in the lifelong learning. In formal educational situations in new and ground-breaking
school curriculum, being embedded environments, information literacy can ways. This capability is crucial, beyond
as part of critical thinking skills and be seen as the critical capacity to read education, to meeting the expectations of
knowledge development. between the lines. the workplace. 5
or customers) and transform it into
knowledge. Information Literacy means
working ethically, understanding the
implications of data protection, intellectual
property rights, such as copyright.
Information Literacy also manifests
itself both in terms of the information
behaviour of individual workers and in the
corporate policies, strategies and activities
of organisations. It may be subsumed in
other employment-related concepts such
Information Literacy and as knowledge & information management Information Literacy and
the Workplace and data management. It also contributes Health
to employability by underpinning attributes
In the workplace, information literacy is that are well-recognised by recruiters, Information literacy, sometimes
knowing when and how to use information such as teamworking, problem-solving and known in this sense as health literacy,
in order to help achieve organisational analytical skills. helps make informed choices relating
aims, and to add value to organisational to the health and wellbeing of
activities. This applies whatever the scale individuals and their families. Finding
and location of the workplace, and whether reliable sources of information for
the work environment is in the commercial, management of health conditions,
public or not-for-profit sector. preventative care and ageing is vital
The exact nature of information literacy for individuals or their carers.
is highly dependent on the context of This implies using credible and
the workplace, and it reflects workplace reputable healthcare sources when
culture, practices and experiences. looking for treatment and prognosis.
As such, it may manifest itself in a To be an active partner in their
multitude of ways, reflecting the rich healthcare, patients benefit from
variety of environments to which it information literacy, allowing them to
applies. Information Literacy helps engage in an informed dialogue with
to interpret work-related information, healthcare professionals.
share it (within organisations and with
external stakeholders, such as clients
4
Department for Education (2013) National curriculum in England: history programmes of study. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-history-
programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-history-programmes-of-study (Accessed 21 February 2018)
5
Head, A. J. (2017) Posing the million-dollar question: What happens after graduation? Journal of Information Literacy, 11(1), pp.80-90. http://dx.doi.org/10.11645/11.1
5Information literacy is central for information professionals as they create, curate and enable the use of diverse types of information in an ethical manner. 6
INFORMATION LITERACY GROUP
The role of information professionals
Information professionals have a crucial Background How was it devised?
role in advocating, supporting and The CILIP Information Literacy Group have In June 2016, the ILG Committee
enabling information literacy. This may created this definition6 for information launched a consultation of ILG members.8
be most evident in educational contexts literacy to update the definition devised Respondents provided useful insights
where academic librarians teach student by CILIP in 2004. The theory and practice in the way that the task might be
cohorts or school librarians support of information literacy has evolved approached. Further comments were
enquiry-based learning or research project considerably since then, and the new solicited in August-September from
methodologies. Public librarians support definition reflects these developments, Committee members themselves and
the everyday life uses of information notably by addressing the relevance then additional feedback was obtained
literacy, in both formal and informal of information literacy beyond formal at the LILAC Conference in April 2017.
settings and have perhaps one of the education. The new definition is also The outcome of these consultations is
greatest responsibilities in supporting addressed to multiple audiences, a suggested frame and scope for an
the wide range of information literacy potentially to anyone who uses and extended definition is set out below. The
needs of the general public. Information handles information, and not just to definition was completed in August 2017
professionals in health including health information professionals. and approved at the ILG Committee
librarians have a key role in delivering and The UNESCO Alexandria Proclamation meeting on 1st September 2017. The
interpreting information and evidence inspired some of the thinking behind CILIP Board approved the definition in
to clinicians, and ensuring medical staff, this work, as did the updated ACRL November 2017.
patients and the public have access to Framework for Information Literacy and A
accurate, life-changing information. New Curriculum for Information Literacy April 2018
Information literacy is central for (ANCIL). 7
information professionals as they create, Authors in alphabetical order
curate and enable the use of diverse types “IL empowers people in all walks
of information in an ethical manner. of life to seek, evaluate, use and Emma Coonan,
Other professionals, such as Anglia Ruskin University
teachers, academic advisors and
create information effectively Jacqueline Geekie,
educational technologists also foster to achieve their personal, social, Aberdeenshire Libraries
information literacy and it is key that occupational and educational Stéphane Goldstein,
information professionals work with them goals. It is a basic human right in a InformAll
in collaboration. digital world and promotes social Lisa Jeskins,
Training and support for information inclusion in all nations.” Lisa Jeskins Training
professionals in information literacy is Rosie Jones,
provided through a variety of routes, UNESCO (2005) Alexandria Proclamation. The Open University
including but not limited to: Rowena Macrae-Gibson,
Brunel University London
• Library Masters qualifications Jane Secker,
• Fellowship of the Higher Education City, University of London
Academy Geoff Walton,
• Attending training provided by the Manchester Metropolitan University
CILIP Information Literacy Group,
including LILAC
• Resources available from the
Information Literacy website
• Professional reading
• Peer support
• Other sources of professional training
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The current definition and supporting statement can be found at http://www.cilip.org.uk/cilip/advocacy-campaigns-awards/advocacy-campaigns/information-literacy/
information-literacy (Accessed 21 February 2018)
7
Secker, J and Coonan, E. (2011) A New Curriculum for Information Literacy (ANCIL). Available at: https://newcurriculum.wordpress.com (Accessed 21 February 2018)
8
ILG memberships currently stands at about 1,500 members.
7Join CILIP and be part of your profession www.cilip.org.uk/join Find out more and become a ILG member: Email: cilipilg@gmail.com Twitter: @infolitgroup www.informationliteracy.org.uk
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