CIAO DATE: 01/02

Information Literacy: Advancing Opportunities for Learning in the Digital Age

Abstract

A healthy democratic society requires a literate citizenry. But what is an informationally literate citizenry in the information age? The ability to locate, organize, evaluate, and communicate information takes on new urgency in a world driven increasingly by information and the technologies developed to create, distribute, and manage it. Properly understood, information literacy goes beyond access to the technology itself and addresses barriers to full, effective, and knowledgeable participation in an information society.

The need to address information literacy as an important societal issue is strong and immediate. Individuals and families increasingly need sophisticated information skills and knowledge to take advantage of educational opportunities; to apply for government services or student loans; to manage their health care, finances, and retirement investments; to participate in the political process; and otherwise to make the choices that affect their lives. Those who are least able to navigate the channels of information will continue to fall further behind as information and the knowledge that it yields become the currencies of success in society.

Information Literacy: Advancing Opportunities for Learning in the Digital Age (PDF File)