What is Information Literacy? Why is information literacy important? How will I use Information Literacy skills? Read on!
WHAT IS INFORMATION LITERACY?
Information Literacy is the ability to identify what information is needed, understand how the information is organized, identify the best sources of information for a given need, locate those sources, evaluate the sources critically, and share that information. It is the knowledge of commonly used research techniques.
WHY IS INFORMATION LITERACY IMPORTANT?
Information literacy is critically important because we are surrounded by a growing ocean of information in all formats. Not all information is created equal: some is authoritative, current, reliable, but some is biased, out of date, misleading, false. The amount of information available is going to keep increasing. The types of technology used to access, manipulate, and create information will likewise expand.
HOW WILL I USE INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS?
Information literacy skills are used for academic purposes, such as research papers and group presentations. They're used on the job—the ability to find, evaluate, use and share information is an essential skill. Consumer decisions, such as which car or vacuum cleaner to purchase, are critical. You'll also use these skills by participating fully in a democratic society as an informed citizen by understanding issues and voting.
Information in this post provided by:
University Of Idaho. (2009). Information Literacy – Home Site. Retrieved August 20, 2009, from http://www.webs.uidaho.edu/info_literacy/.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Do we really need libraries? Yes! Read on...
Your library is about much more than what books, DVDs, and CDs are on the shelf. How is the library relevant when one can go to the Internet for everything? What is the library’s role in an Internet age?
Librarians are trained to help you sift through the vast amounts of information available not only through books, but also through websites and databases. Librarians undergo constant education to adapt, use, and teach new technology. Librarians, in the process of helping patrons access this information, also teach patrons how to be information literate.
An information literate person is.. “...one who is able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use the needed information.”
(American Library Association. Presidential Commission on Information Literacy)
Dean of Library Services at Winthrop University wrote a great article on “10 Reasons Why the Internet Is No Substitute for a Library”. Here is a quick summary of the ten reasons given in the article:
1. Not everything is on the Internet
2. The needle (your search) in the haystack (the Web)
3. Quality control doesn’t exist
4. What you don’t know really does hurt you
5. States Can Now Buy One Book and Distribute to Every Library on the Web—NOT!
6. Hey, Bud, You Forgot about E-book Readers
7. Aren’t There Library-less Universities Now?
8. But a Virtual State Library Would Do It, Right?
9. The Internet: A Mile Wide, an Inch (or Less) Deep
10. The Internet Is Ubiquitous but Books Are Portable
Librarians are trained to help you sift through the vast amounts of information available not only through books, but also through websites and databases. Librarians undergo constant education to adapt, use, and teach new technology. Librarians, in the process of helping patrons access this information, also teach patrons how to be information literate.
An information literate person is.. “...one who is able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use the needed information.”
(American Library Association. Presidential Commission on Information Literacy)
Dean of Library Services at Winthrop University wrote a great article on “10 Reasons Why the Internet Is No Substitute for a Library”. Here is a quick summary of the ten reasons given in the article:
1. Not everything is on the Internet
2. The needle (your search) in the haystack (the Web)
3. Quality control doesn’t exist
4. What you don’t know really does hurt you
5. States Can Now Buy One Book and Distribute to Every Library on the Web—NOT!
6. Hey, Bud, You Forgot about E-book Readers
7. Aren’t There Library-less Universities Now?
8. But a Virtual State Library Would Do It, Right?
9. The Internet: A Mile Wide, an Inch (or Less) Deep
10. The Internet Is Ubiquitous but Books Are Portable
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Groundbreaking Day
The Gibson Library 2.0 Groundbreaking was today!
Today's honorary guests included: current Mayor Andy Haffen, former mayor James Gibson, President of the Friends Of The Library Ron Hughes, Chairwoman of the Board Of Trustees Colleen Bell, architect Rudy Starks, Director Tom Fay, Assistant Directory Gayle Hornaday, and Branch Manager Candace Kingsley.
Also on hand were many of the staff from the Gibson Library as well as other staff members from our other branches. By the amount of cameras we brought, you can tell that the staff were very excited now that it's "official".
Periodically we will post a new photo of the construction of the library.
Here is Week One.
Today's honorary guests included: current Mayor Andy Haffen, former mayor James Gibson, President of the Friends Of The Library Ron Hughes, Chairwoman of the Board Of Trustees Colleen Bell, architect Rudy Starks, Director Tom Fay, Assistant Directory Gayle Hornaday, and Branch Manager Candace Kingsley.
Also on hand were many of the staff from the Gibson Library as well as other staff members from our other branches. By the amount of cameras we brought, you can tell that the staff were very excited now that it's "official".
Periodically we will post a new photo of the construction of the library.
Here is Week One.
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