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- What is information literacy?
First-Year Information Literacy
What is information literacy?
The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) defines information literacy as the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning.
Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning. It is common to all disciplines, to all learning environments, and to all levels of education. It enables learners to master content and extend their investigations, become more self-directed, and assume greater control over their own learning.
Components of Information Literacy
Information literacy can be divided into five different categories: Identify, Find, Evaluate, Apply, and Acknowledge.
This video provides academic and real world examples for each component to better understand why information literacy is important to success in college and in life.
5 Components of Information Literacy, by Seminole State Library (4 minutes)
Information Literacy Frames
In early 2016, the Association of College and Research Libraries officially adopted The Framework for Information Literacy. The Framework is organized into six frames, each consisting of a concept that is central to information literacy. Our team of information literacy librarians have already started to incorporate these concepts into our instruction sessions. This year our instruction program is moving toward fully transitioning to the new Framework.
- Authority is Constructed and Contextual
- Information Creation as a Process
- Information has Value
- Research as Inquiry
- Scholarship as Conversation
- Searching as Strategic Exploration
How is information literacy taught?
Students are more likely to learn information literacy concepts and skills in an academic course in which they are required to complete an assignment or project using information sources.
Information literacy best practices recommend that that information literacy skills and concepts become fully integrated into the academic curriculum.
In CORE 1000, we teach beginner-level information literacy competencies that are appropriate for first-year students. As students move through their major, they should be mastering more advanced-level information literacy competencies.
Relevant Resources
- ACRL Framework Posters, Bucknell UniversityPosters created by Bucknell University that provide a good overview of the six information literacy frames.
- ACRL Framework Posters, University of BuffaloPosters created by the University of Buffalo based on the six information literacy frames.
- ACRL's Introduction to Information Literacy for Faculty and AdministratorsProvides a brief introduction to information literacy in higher education.
