Information Literacy
What is information literacy?
Information literate individuals can:
- Recognise when and how much information is needed
- Find needed information effectively and efficiently
- Critically evaluate information
- Manage information collected or generated
- Apply information to construct new concepts or understandings
- Understand economic, legal, social and cultural issues surrounding the use of information
(Based on Australian and New Zealand Information Literacy Framework, 2004)
Why is information literacy important?
Information literacy is a key competency for lifelong learning and one of the graduate skills recognised by the university in its Griffith Graduate Statement.
Information literacy @ Griffith’s Libraries
Information Services and Griffith’s libraries are committed to developing and fostering information literacy knowledge and skills within the Griffith community. The INS Information Literacy Blueprint sets out a framework for learning and teaching strategies with the following mix of components:
>> Generic
Workshops, consultations and self-paced learning opportunities are provided by Learning Services and attended at the discretion of students. The aim is to ensure that students or staff needing point-of-use assistance have access to a range of support services. These are not aligned with any specific course.
>> Integrated
Librarians and other INS staff offer workshops and short courses at the request of academic staff. These are discipline-related and targeted to the broad needs of students within a course or program.
>> Embedded
Information Services collaborates with academic staff to design, deliver and assess learning opportunities within the full curricula of a course. These are targeted to specific needs of students, and encourage ongoing interaction and reflection with information. The Information Literacy Toolkit, developed by GIHE and INS staff, is an key resource for embedding information literacy within a curriculum.
Contacts
Generic programs:
Lynne Russell, Manager Learning Services
Discipline-specific services:
Arts & Education – Di Selzer, Team Leader EPS
Business & Law - Colette Smith-Strong, Team Leader EPS
Health & Science - Phillip McDonald, Team Leader EPS
Useful Links
Information Literacy Toolkit (GIHE)
Australian and New Zealand Information Literacy Framework
Australia and New Zealand Institute for Information Literacy (ANZIIL)
Assoc of College & University Libraries Information Literacy website (U.S.)