Information literacy before and after information communication technology

Abstract

IL has become an integral part of our lives. It is the basis of Lifelong Learning and professional development. It gives us the skills necessary to integrate better in today’s “Information Society” (IS). The basic library and Information Technology (IT) skills are how to recognise the need of information; determine ways of addressing this information; create and plan on how to approach the locations to look for information; discover and acquire information; come up with and assess information; set up structure to the information, put to use and pass on the information; and how to combine resources and develop information in the most efficacious way. IL is not just the IT training specific to the IT industry or to the skills necessary for performing IT jobs, but it also includes courses related to the application, design, development, implementation, support and management of computer-based information systems and not just how to send e-mail, use word processors and operating systems. The unfolding of a collection of understanding and skills vital in the IS are research, interpretation, assessment, dissemination and implementation for appropriate judgement making. There are many different definitions of IL but the three main ones I will adhere to are according to the American Library Association (ALA); IL is defined as 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.