Information Literacy / Project SAILS

What is Information Literacy?

Information literate individuals are those who “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.”

From the Presidential Committee on Information Literacy. Final Report. (Chicago: American Library Association, 1989.) http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/whitepapers/presidential.htm

Information Literacy Competencies

Standard One: Determines the nature and extent of the information needed.

Standard Two: Accesses needed information effectively and efficiently.

Standard Three: Evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system.

Standard Four: Uses information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose.

Standard Five: Understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally.

Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. Chicago : Association of College & Research Libraries, 2000)