In the present era of information available information is growing at an unprecedented rate. Information and communication technologies that play an important role in information creation, access and management is also changing rapidly.
At the same time not all pieces of information are of same quality: some are true, reliable and valid, while others are outdated, misleading or false. Therefore, an emerging need in academic libraries is that of ensuring that tertiary students have access to quality information, as well as the skills to manage it.
Information literacy is a cornerstone for lifelong learning, a fundamental right in the digital world, that may play a key role in the realization and development of the knowledge society enabling self-development and social inclusion for all people and their communities. Citizens unable to understand the organization of information and the ways they may access it, eventually lose their convenience of searching and critically analyze retrieved information all by themselves. They lose their freedom of taking informed decisions on personal, professional or social issues. They actually lose their freedom to actively participate in knowledge creation processes.
- Information literacy is considered extremely nowadays, since:
- Encourages individuals to learn on their own
- Provides them with skills for a successful career
- Encourages careful evaluation of information sources
- Promotes development of self-sufficient researchers
- Supports decision-making
- Supports academic institutions' mission for enabling the development of independent lifelong learners.
There are many international and national organizations (e.g. UNESCO, EU, ALA, ANZIIL, ACRL, SCONUL, CILIP) that focus on information literacy through development and dissemination of related guidelines, standards and good practices.
