Email Updates RSS
Search

Librarians Foster Information Literacy

By IGI Global on Oct 12, 2011
One of the key requirements of the digital age is information literacy. As John Palfrey and Urs Gasser explain in their 2010 book Born Digital, "The digital world offers new opportunities to those who know how to avail themselves of them." Thus, they write, "[t]hese opportunities make possible new forms of creativity, learning, entrepreneurship, and innovation." The authors contend that the "digital divide," or a lack of access to technologies, is not the whole problem. Rather, youth need to learn "digital literacy," or the "skills to navigate this complicated, hybrid world that their peers are growing up in," they argue.

Similarly, Dr. Kshema Prakash of Deemed University, India discusses the importance of "information literacy," especially among distance learners, in a recent case study published by IGI Global. "Development of information literacy is critical for distance learners, and social networking tools based on Web 2.0 technologies may provide library services and impart information literacy to distance learners," argues Dr. Prakash. She defines the different kinds of "information literacy" as the following:

  • Library Literacy: Where a person is able to "explore the library efficiently with ease."
  • Media Literacy: Where someone is able to evaluate information received from diverse sources, including the mainstream media.
  • Computer Literacy: An understanding of computer software and hardware.
  • Network Literacy: "The ability to navigate the Internet or any other computer network."
  • Digital Literacy: The "searching and retrieving skills that are required to explore the online databases, digital libraries, or documents on CDs and DVDs."
  • Visual Literacy: The "ability to understand and produce visual content."
For Dr. Prakash, librarians and university staff play an important role in building information literacy among their students. "Developing information literacy ought to be the responsibility of academic institutions, be it schools, colleges or universities; however, as the librarians today are well versed with IT skills, library skills, and with domain knowledge of certain subjects, they can collaborate well with teachers in developing Information Literacy among students," she writes.

In this case study, Dr. Prakash discusses how Deemed University adapted to distance learning requirements by the Indian Distance Education Council that "every study centre and regional centre should have a library for supporting the information needs of students." Accordingly, the University established these centers. However, due to their small size, it wasn't feasible for all study centers to be expected to "engage a dedicated person possessing library skills," writes Dr. Prakash. "Hence, attempts are made to impart functional library skills to the administrative personnel of study centres," she writes. In addition, supportive reading material was ordered so that the study centers would have relevant books available for users.

The University arranged for its librarians to respond to student queries "via email, instant online messaging, text messaging, and phone," writes Dr. Prakash. "Generally, distance learners, removed from direct teaching and devoid of face-to-face teaching and interaction, occupy an ambiguous space and are often unsure of how to find additional information resources," she writes. "Any effort by the librarian to reach out to such learners would definitely be welcomed."

In addition, Dr. Prakash argues, "Once the librarian bridges this gap with distance learners through electronic/digital media, such as through e-mail, instant messaging, discussion forums and listservs, which are not constrained by time, the distance learners can be at ease in utilizing the resource to seek out information."

However, the limitations to information literacy are not always easily overcome. "The distance learners enrolled in vocational programmes such as dress designing, come from rural and elderly backgrounds," writes Dr. Prakash. "The elderly female populace in such programmes cannot be expected to learn information literacy skills in a similar fashion as digital literacy or computer literacy in a short period." To ensure the initiative's success "requires an untiring effort on part of the librarian, as well as the teachers or mentors," she argues.

To learn more about this case study, please visit www.igi-global.com/chapter/cases-building-quality-distance-delivery/51424.

This case study is included in the larger casebook, Cases on Building Quality Distance Delivery Programs: Strategies and Experiences, edited by Stephanie Huffman, Shelly Albritton, Barbara Wilmes, and Wendy Rickman, all of the University of Central Arkansas, USA. This casebook would make an excellent addition to any university library. To recommend this book to your university librarian, please visit www.igi-global.com/forms/refertolibrarian.aspx?titleid=51424.
Browse for more posts in:
Teaching CasesEducationDistance EducationNewsletterDigital LiteracyDigital LibrariesLibrary and Information Science

No comments Comments

Log in or sign up to comment.
Be the first to comment!

More from IGI Global

May 9, 2024 Navigating the "High" Risks and "High" Rewards of Cannabis Legalization in Medicine
Despite increasing acceptance and legalization of cannabis in some US states, disparities persist in federal marijuana laws, exacerbated by the Biden administration's classification of cannabis as a Schedule I drug. This inconsistency leads to unfair penalties in the criminal justice system, where individuals in legal states can still face federal prosecution.
IGI GlobalRead More
Medical, Healthcare, and Life SciencesBooks & E-BooksResearch Trends
May 2, 2024 Who will Win the AI Chat Wars?
Google has recently introduced its new Gemini platform, which competes with OpenAI's ChatGPT. This platform promises to provide real-time chat with advanced algorithms to meet the increasing demand for instant AI interactions.
IGI GlobalRead More
Computer Science and Information TechnologyArtificial IntelligenceBooks & E-BooksResearch Trends
Apr 25, 2024 How AI Changes the Game with Targeted Advertising and Rapid Upscaling
How can advertisers possibly keep up with billions of unique individuals on the planet? Enter artificial intelligence.
IGI GlobalRead More
Business and ManagementMarketingBooks & E-BooksResearch Trends
Apr 23, 2024 Participate in the IGI Global Annual Academic Publishing Trends & Open Access Survey 2024
In its second year, the IGI Global Annual Academic Publishing Trends & Open Access Survey 2024 seeks to create a realistic outlook on problems faced by the academic community and their potential solutions.
IGI GlobalRead More
Resources for LibrariansResources for ResearchersOpen Access
Apr 18, 2024 Uniting Nations with Multinational Electronic Health Records to Stop Lassa Fever's Pandemic Threat!
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a surge in Lassa fever cases in Nigeria, emphasizing the urgent need for containment measures.
IGI GlobalRead More
Medical, Healthcare, and Life SciencesHealthcare Information SystemsBooks & E-BooksResearch Trends
Apr 16, 2024 IGI Global Announces the 2024 Journal Reviewers Award Winners
IGI Global congratulates the winners of this year's Journal Reviewer Award
IGI GlobalRead More
JournalsAwards & RecognitionOpen Access
Apr 15, 2024 What Defines Authorship and Who Should Be Included in a Manuscript’s Byline?
For decades, academic publishing has been plagued with discrepancies surrounding authorship of scholarly research...
IGI GlobalRead More
Books & E-BooksAcquisitions
Apr 15, 2024 Doody’s Selects IGI Global Books for Special Topics List
Two IGI Global publications have been recognized by Doody's for their excellence and niche topic focus.
IGI GlobalRead More
Medical, Healthcare, and Life SciencesMedia and CommunicationsBooks & E-BooksAwards & Recognition
Apr 11, 2024 Technology is Making Disparities Worse
Digital Inclusion Week underscored the urgent need for a national digital equity plan in the US due to disparities in internet access and digital skills.
IGI GlobalRead More
Apr 8, 2024 Nearly 90% of IGI Global’s Frontlist Books Now Indexed in Scopus
The majority of IGI Global's books Frontlist is now indexed by Scopus. Learn what this prestigious recognition means for the publisher and the experts behind these books.
IGI GlobalRead More
Books & E-BooksAwards & RecognitionReviews & Indexing
First Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  ... Next Last