Information literacy is an understanding and set of abilities allowing persons to "distinguish when information is needed" and have the capacity to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively employ the needed information.". An information literate individual is someone who has learned how to learn, and is able to:
? recognise a need for information
? establish the extent of information needed
? efficiently access the needed information
? assess the information along with its sources critically
? add in particular information into their knowledge base
? make use of information effectively to achieve a specific purpose
? comprehend legal, economic, social and cultural matters in the use of information
? make use of and access information ethically
Information literacy is not identical to computer literacy (which involves a technological expertise to control computer hardware and software) or library literacy (which entails the capability to utilize a library's collection and its services), even though there is a strong relationship between all these concepts. Each literacy calls for some level of critical thinking. However weighted against computer literacy, information literacy goes further than kust having access to, and knowledge of how to employ the technology, since technology alone does not assure quality learning experiences.
Compared with library literacy, information literacy is above searching through an online catalogue or other reference materials, for information literacy is not a technique, but a objective for novices.
Information literacy involves knowledge of the ...