"An individual's ability to read, write, and speak in English, and compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society, to achieve one's goals, and develop one's knowledge and potential."
This definition of literacy leaves room for many different kinds of literacies. The 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey by the National Center for Education Statistics identified three literacies:
· Prose literacy – the ability to read and understand the written word.
· Document literacy – the ability to locate integrated information.
· Quantitative literacy – the ability to locate and understand numerical information.
Roger Sensenbaugh, in the article “Multiplicities of Literacies in the 1990s,” defines several more literacies: media literacy, cultural literacy, computer literacy, and home literacy. He goes on to explain that “Literacy involves making meaning from a variety of sources and communicating it to a variety of audiences.”
How does this relate to libraries?
Information Literacy. This relatively recent term has many definitions and implications in the field of library and information science and education.
Consider these definitions:
“Information literacy is defined as the ability to know when there is a need for information, to be able to identify, locate, and effectively use that information for the issue or problem at hand.” National Forum on Information Literacy
“The ability to locate information rapidly, to evaluate it, and to use it effectively.” Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Olympia, WA and the Washington Library Media Association, 1996
“Information literacy is usually described as the ability to locate, manage and use information effectively for a range of purposes. As such it is an important ‘generic skill' which allows people to engage in effective decision-making, problem solving a nd research. It also enables them to take responsibility for their own continued learning in areas of personal or professional interest.” Christine Bruce. “Seven Faces of Information Literacy in Higher Education.” http://www2.fit.qut.edu.au/InfoSys/bruce...
Most schools and colleges have information literacy standards, which means that students should have ample opportunity to learn information literacy skills. Most often these skills are taught by or in cooperation with the school or academic library.
Consider these examples of Information Literacy Standards:
Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills: Information Literacy
Kent State University - Information Literacy Standards
Take some of these tutorials to see where you stand in terms of information literacy:
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