Information Literacy Defined

Information literacy is 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".
(Association of College and Research Libraries: Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education)



"The first edition of these standards derives from the US Information literacy standards for higher education approved by the Association of College and Research Libraries in January 2000, and subsequently endorsed by the American Association for Higher Education and US accreditation bodies…..

At its Canberra meeting 27-28 October 2000 the Council of Australian University Librarians approved the revision of the US standards. as Information literacy standards. The intended primary application is to higher education, but they may be applied to other educational sectors."

Australian and New Zealand Institute for Information Literacy (ANZIIL) and Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) Revised version of CAUL's Information Literacy Standards published in 2001

Concept		Standard	Outcomes
Standard One	AWARE	The information literate person recognises the need for information and determines the nature and extent of the information needed.	1.1 Defines and articulates the information need [Examples] 1.2 Understands the purpose, scope and appropriateness of a variety of information sources [Examples] 1.3 Re-evaluates the nature and extent of the information need [Examples] 1.4 Uses diverse sources of information to inform decisions [Examples]
Standard Two	SEARCH	The information literate person finds needed information effectively and efficiently	2.1 Selects the most appropriate methods or tools for finding information [Examples] 2.2 Constructs and implements effective search strategies [Examples] 2.3 Obtains information using appropriate methods [Examples] 2.4 Keeps up to date with information sources, information technologies, information access tools and investigative methods [Examples]
Standard Three	EVALUATE	The information literate person critically evaluates information and the information seeking process.	3.1 Assesses the usefulness and relevance of the information obtained [Examples] 3.2 Defines and applies criteria for evaluating information [Examples] 3.3 Reflects on the information seeking process and revises search strategies as necessary [Examples]
Standard Four	STORE	The information literate person manages information collected or generated.	4.1 Records information and its sources[Examples] 4.2 Organises (orders/classifies/stores) information[Examples]
Standard Five	USE to Create Ideas	The information literate person applies prior and new information to construct new concepts or create new understandings.	5.1 Compares and integrates new understandings with prior knowledge to determine the value added, contradictions, or other unique characteristics of the information[Examples] 5.2 Communicates knowledge and new understandings effectively [Examples]
Standard Six	USE with Socio-cultural Awareness	The information literate person uses information with understanding and acknowledges cultural, ethical, economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information.	6.1 Acknowledges cultural, ethical, legal and socioeconomic issues related to access to, and use of, information[Examples] 6.2 Recognises that information is underpinned by values and beliefs [Examples] 6.3 Conforms with conventions and etiquette related to access to, and use of, information[Examples] 6.4 Legally obtains, stores, and disseminates text, data, images, or sounds[Examples]