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Information Literacy

This guide will help you understand information literacy concepts and direct your research process. Use the guide tabs to help locate specific information and other related information.

ACRL Framework for Information Literacy

The framework for information literacy advances the information literacy to bridge the gap in the digital world.  

The Framework Consists of the Following Threshold Concepts:

Authority Is Constructed and Contextual  "Information resources reflect their creators’ expertise and credibility, and are evaluated based on the information need and the context in which the information will be used. Authority is constructed in that various communities may recognize different types of authority. It is contextual in that the information need may help to determine the level of authority required."

Information Creation as a Process "Information in any format is produced to convey a message and is shared via a selected delivery method. The iterative processes of researching, creating, revising, and disseminating information vary, and the resulting product reflects these differences."

Information Has Value "Information possesses several dimensions of value, including as a commodity, as a means of education, as a means to influence, and as a means of negotiating and understanding the world. Legal and socioeconomic interests influence information production and dissemination."

Research as Inquiry "Research is iterative and depends upon asking increasingly complex or new questions whose answers in turn develop additional questions or lines of inquiry in any field."

Scholarship as Conversation  "Communities of scholars, researchers, or professionals engage in sustained discourse with new insights and discoveries occurring over time as a result of varied perspectives and interpretations."

Searching as Strategic Exploration "Searching for information is often nonlinear and iterative, requiring the evaluation of a range of information sources and the mental flexibility to pursue alternate avenues as new understanding develops."


 

Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education

"The Association for College and Research Libraries (ACRL)  is the source that the higher education community looks to for standards, guidelines, and frameworks on academic libraries. ACRL develops standards, guidelines, and frameworks to help libraries, academic institutions, and accrediting agencies understand the components of an excellent library. These standards, guidelines, frameworks, and model statements are reviewed and updated by the membership on a regular basis." 

Standards by discipline

Information Literacy in the disciples guide  The Association of College & Research Libraries has compiled a web page of Information Literacy Standards for specific disciplines. Offered along with the standards are articles and other informative pieces for each discipline.

PGCC Student Learning Outcomes for Information Literacy

The Prince George's Community College Student Learning Outcomes for Information Literacy provide a framework for the evaluation of information literacy instruction sessions.