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.
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)
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.
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.
