Information Literacy

Library

ACU has identified the principles of information literacy as key graduate attributes in its Strategic Plan (Australian Catholic University, 2003).

"Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning. It is common to all disciplines, to all learning environments, and to all levels of education. It enables learners to master content and extend their investigations, become more self-directed, and assume greater control over their own learning” (Association of College and Research Libraries, 2000).

An information literate person, as defined in the Australian and New Zealand information literacy framework: Principles, standards and practice 2nd edition (Bundy, 2004, pp. 3-4), is someone who is able to:

• recognise a need for information
• determine the extent of the information needed
• access information efficiently
• critically evaluate information and its sources
• classify, store, manipulate and redraft information collected or generated
• incorporate selected information into their knowledge base
• use information effectively to learn, create new knowledge, solve problems and make decisions
• understand economic, legal, social, political and cultural issues in the use of information
• access and use information ethically and legally
• use information and knowledge for participative citizenship and social responsibility
• experience information literacy as part of independent learning and lifelong learning

The Library actively promotes information literacy by:

• endorsing the Australian and New Zealand information literacy framework: Principles, standards and practice 2nd edition (Bundy, 2004), and using it as a guide for all information literacy activities and documentation
• ensuring that opportunities to acquire information literacy skills are available to ACU students, across all year levels, at point of need, regardless of their location or mode of study
• collaborating with academic staff to incorporate information literacy into the curriculum
• providing multi-modal support to individuals and groups of students via the Information Desk and the Ask a Librarian service
• promoting access to scholarly information and encouraging the critical evaluation of all information
  collaborating across campus libraries to share strategies and develop information literacy programs.

The Library strongly recommends that all undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degree students enhance their information literacy skills during their time at ACU. The Library also recommends that information literacy skills be taught as part of the curriculum and undertakes to provide regular opportunities for all students to attend information literacy programs.

Association of College and Research Libraries. (2000). Information literacy competency standards for higher education. Chicago, IL.

Australian Catholic University. (2003). Strategic plan (revised) for the period 1999-2008. (PDF, 362kb)

Bundy, A. (Ed.). (2004). Australian and New Zealand information literacy framework: Principles, standards and practice (2nd ed.). Adelaide: ANZIIL. (PDF, 406kb)