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TopThe phrase information literacy first appeared in print in 1974 report by Paul G. Zurkoowski written on behalf of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. He used the phrase to describe the “technique and skills” learned by the information literate “for utilizing the wide range of information tools as well as primary sources in molding information solutions to their problems” and drew a relatively firm line between the “literates” and “information illiterates” (Zurkoowski, 1974).
A number of efforts have been made to better define the concept and its relationship to other skills and forms of literacy. Although other educational goals, including traditional literacy, computer literacy, library skills and critical thinking skills, are related to information literacy and important foundations for its development, information literacy itself is emerging as a distinct set and a necessary key to one’s social and economic well- being in an increasingly complex information society (Kulthau, 1987). The United States National Forum on Information Literacy defines information literacy as “…the ability to know when there is a need for information, to be able to identify, locate, evaluate and effectively use that information for the issue or problem at hand…” (Presidential Committee on Information Literacy: Final Report, 1989). The American Library Association defines “Information Literacy” as a set of abilities requiring individuals to “…recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate and use effectively they needed information…” (Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education, n.d.).