27 Agencies in the Promotion and Development of Information Literacy

Dr Arvind K Sharma

  1. Introduction

The present era has been recognized as an era of competition and complexities in various ways. It is a challenge before specialists as well as common men to get needed information. Especially in the present electronic environment, users have many channels to get needed information. Various institutions, associations, individuals and others stakeholders help the user to get needed information, which are authentic, genuine and having applicability. LIS professionals focus on Information Literacy (IL) to empower the user to identify, select, retrieve, evaluate and use the needed information on their own.

 

In the present module an attempt has been made to describe various agencies working for the promotion and development of IL. Various organizations, institutions, associations, and individuals are playing significant role in promotion of information literacy. Various standards, guidelines, competency standards, blogs, help lines, listserv, etc. have been prepared and launched to strengthen the cause and to provide a framework for IL. Various efforts have been done by the numerous agencies for the promotion of IL, some important ones have been discussed in the present module.

  1. International Scenario

Internationally many agencies are active in the field of spreading IL. The common objective is the empowerment of the people by making them information literate. The basic challenge they seek to meet is to enable the user to cope with the unmanageable flood of information. Many other agencies concerned with general socio-economic development combined with goals of social inclusion and sustainability do also have stake in IL. These organisations have been preparing standards, guidelines and sharing expertise and experience for strengthening the cause. Some organizations are discussed below:

 

3.1.1    UNESCO

 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) founded in 1945 is actively associated in creating and developing environment for IL. UNESCO –led initiatives towards ‘Education for All’ include declarations of the decade of 2003-2012 as the United Nations Literacy Decade and the decade of 2005-2014 as the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

 

UNESCO website clearly mentions that “UNESCO’s mission is to engender media and information literate societies through a comprehensive strategy which include preparation of model Media and Information Literacy Curriculum for Teachers, the facilitation of international cooperation, development of Guidelines for Preparing National MIL Policies and Strategies, articulation of a Global Framework on MIL Indicators, setting up MIL University Network, articulation of and establishment of an International Clearinghouse on MIL in cooperation with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, and provision of Guidelines for Broadcasters on Promoting User-Generated Content and MIL.” MIL combines Media Literacy and Information Literacy, thus having a greater scope.

 

UNESCO has undertaken a number of steps for achieving above mentioned goals.

  • UNESCO launched European Media and Information Literacy Forum in partnership with European Commission.
  • Issued ‘Media and Information Literacy, Policy and Strategy Guidelines. Place de Fontenoy: UNESCO, 2013’. This 192 page document can be accessed at :> http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0022/002256/225606e.pdf<.
  • UNESCO’s Online Media and Information Literacy Course for Youth.
  • Assessment Framework for Media and Information Literacy.
  • Media & Information Literacy Clearinghouse. >http://milunesco.unaoc.org/<. This clearing house encourages the active participation of users.
  • Internation Literacy Day is celebrated on 8th september . As September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO on November 17, 1965.

Besides various programmes, UNESCO has also taken initiatives to promote remarkable publications on media, pedagogy and IL, some are as follows:

  • Culver, Sherri Hope and Carlsson, Ulla. Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue : MILID Yearbook.University of Guthenburg: Nordicom, 2013. Accessed at > http://www.nordicom.gu.se/sites/default/files/publikationer-hela-pdf/media_and_information_literacy_and_intercultural_dialogue.pdf<
  • Wilson, C. and others. Media and Information Literacy Curriculum for Teachers. Paris : The UNESCO, 2011.
  • Horton, Forest W. Understanding information literacy: a primer. Paris, France: UNESCO IFAP, 2007.
  • The Prague declaration- “Towards an Information Literate Society” Prague, Czech Republic, 20-23 September, 2003.

UNESCO is also actively facilitating various workshops, expert group meetings on IL. UNESCO also launched the “Information for All Programme (IFAP)”. This IFAP established a working group on Information Literacy, which is working for incorporation of IL in education and information policies of different nations. >http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/intergovernmental-programmes/information-for-all-programme-ifap/<

 

3.2 IFLA

 

IFLA stands for International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. As we are aware that IFLA was first founded in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1927 when library associations from 14 European countries and USA signed resolution at the celebration of 50th anniversary of Library Association of the United Kingdom. IFLA has established a Section on IL and purpose of this Section is “to foster international cooperation in the development of information literacy education in all types of libraries and information institutions.” >http://www.ifla.org/information-literacy<. To achieve this primary purpose, IFLA is actively engaged in various activities to promote IL globally.

  • IFLA is also actively engaged in publishing action plans, annual reports, guidelines, leaflets, manifestos, newsletters, reports, and statements. All the literature and guidelines on IL can be accessed at > http://www.ifla.org/publications/81<.
  • IFLA has been promoting conferences, workshops on IL related issues. A detailed list of such conferences and programmes can be accessed at >http://www.ifla.org/information-literacy/conferences<.
  • IFLA websites also provide links to various IL resources.

   3.3 Universities

 

Universities impart education and facilitate research. For this purpose they have launched various initiatives for promoting higher level learning and information literacy among the students. Many universities have prepared and launched schemes for this purpose. Some instances are:

  • Glasgow University project of “Teaching with Independent Learning Technologies” (TILT) launched in 1993.
  • The GAELS project at the university of Strathclyde and Glasgow.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University Library IL portal can be accessed at  >http://www.library.illinois.edu/infolit/<

Cardiff University, Information Literacy page. >http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/insrv/educationandtraining/infolit/index.html<

 

3.4   Associations

 

As we are aware, “unity is strength.” Unity always strengthens the people to move in a direction and bring professionals together for achieving common goals. Associations provide common platform to discuss common issues and problems faced by professionals in their respective areas. Associations have been playing an important role in the promotion of IL. Various associations like ALA, AASL, ACRL, FID, CILIP, SCONUL, IFLA have contributed a lot for the promotion of IL. Contributions of some of these associations are mentioned in brief here.

 

3.4.1   American Library Association and its subdivisions

 

The  oldest  and  leading  professional  association  ALA  (American  Library  Association)  and  its  various subdivisions, such as AASL, ACRL etc, have been playing a significant role in producing IL products. ALA  residential  Committee  on  Information  Literacy issued  a final  report  in  1989.  On  the  basis  of  the ALA Presidential Committee final report, National Forum on Information Literacy (NFIL) was founded in 1990. This forum promotes  IL   at  national  and  International  level.  >http://infolit.org<.  In  1998  AASL(American Association of School libraries)   and AECT (Association of Educational Communications and Technology) published information literacy standards.

 

Major publications are :

  • ALA pamphlets to guide all age users?
  • American Library Association. Presidential Committee on Information Literacy. Final Report, A Library Advocate’s Guide to Building Information Literate Communities. 1989.>http://www.ala.org/offices/sites/ala.org.offices/files/content/ola/informationliteracy.pdf<
  • Program Report on Information Literacy. Issued by NFIL in 1998 <http://www.ala.org/acrl/publication/whitepaper/progressreport<
  • AASL Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning > http://www.cila.org.tw/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2013/04/%E7%BE%8E%E5%9C%8B_AASL-Information-Literacy-Standards-for-Student-Learning.pdf<
  • Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL). ACRL Information Literacy:  Standards,Performance Indicators, Outcomes with Objectives and Practices> https://www.lib.odu.edu/genedinfolit/acrlstandardsandpractices.pdf<
  • Association of College and Research Libraries. Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. Chicago : ALA, 2000.
  • Information Literacy Competency Standards for Journalism Students and Professionals (PDF) (October 2011)
  • Information Literacy Competency Standards for Nursing (October 2013)
  • Information Literacy Standards for Anthropology and Sociology Students (January 2008) .
  • Information Literacy Standards for Science and Technology (June 2006)

3.4.2  Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)   >www.cilip.org.uk<

CILIP was formed in April 2002 by the Union of the Institute of Information Scientists (IIS) and the Library Association (UK). CILIP works with the help of numerous groups, which cover almost all fields of the society. It has ‘Special Interest Group on Information Literacy’.

 

Information Literacy> http://www.informationliteracy.org.uk/<

This Information Literacy website has been designed and developed by the information professionals from the UK. This website was developed by the Information Literacy Group of CILIP in 2005. CILIP also organises Librarians’ Information Literacy Annual Conference (LILAC). CILIP also published an international peer reviewed ‘Journal of Information Literacy'(JIL).> http://ojs.lboro.ac.uk/ojs/index.php/JIL>

 

3.4.3 Canadian Library Association (CLA)

 

Canadian Library Association (CLA) was founded in 1946. CLA is a not-for-profit, voluntary and national organization for library community in Canada. CLA has various interest groups.There is a group on Information Literacy also. IL interest group facilitates interaction on IL related issues. Informtion Literacy Interest Group (ILIG) can be joined Listserv at > https://mta.uwinnipeg.ca/mailman/listinfo/ilig<.

 

Association for Teacher-Librarianship in Canada (ATLC) and the Canadian School Library Association (CSLA) ( A division of CLA) have prepared ” Students’ Information Literacy Needs in the 21st Century: Competencies for Teacher-Librarians” in November 1997. This document can be accessed at : >http://www.cla.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Publications2&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID =2715<

  1. Individuals

Some Individuals have also played pivotal roles in the promotion and development of IL at world level. They have contributed through various means, such as: developing new ideas, contributing research articles, maintaining blogs, etc. Their contribution has been pioneering in the promotion of IL. A list of notable persons is given below:

  • Patricia B. Knapp
  • Louis Shores
  • Thomas G. Kirk
  • Keller
  • Paul G. Zurkowski.
  • Mike Eisenberg
  • Bob Berkowitz
  • Bill Johnson
  • Sheila Webber
  • Baker
  • Bawden
  •  S.Bruce
  •  Catts
  • Gwenn Wilson

K (ed.), Learning and Libraries in an Information Age. Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited.eila Webber is maintaining a famous and popular “Information Literacy Weblog’. This weblog can be accessed at > http://information-literacy.blogspot.in/<

 

Publishers

 

Various publishers, such as : RR Bowker, neal-Shuman, Greenwood Press, Mc Farland, Facet etc. have been publishing a number of remarkable publications on IL. Few notable publications are :

  • Andretta, S. (2012). Ways of experiencing information literacy : making the case for a
  • relational approach. Oxford : Chandos Publishing.
  • Bruce, C. S. (2008). Informed learning. Chicago : Association of College and Research Libraries.
  • Bruce, C.S. (1999). Workplace experiences of information literacy. International Journal of Information Management, 19, 33-47.
  • Bruce, C.S. (1997). The seven faces of information literacy. Adelaide, AUS: Auslib Press.
  • Byerly G. and Brodie, C. S. (1999). Information Literacy Skills Models: Defining the Choices. In Stripling,
  • Coonan, E. and Secker, J. (2013). Rethinking information literacy : a practical framework for supporting learning. London: Facet-Corrall, S. and Mckinney, P. (2013). Information literacy through inquiry. London: Facet.
  • Wilson, Gwenn. (2012).100% information literacy success. Stamford CT: Cengage Learning.
  • 6. Indian Scenario

In India, IL was not taken as a mission but various organizations and institutions are working for the promotion of IL, digital literacy, ICT literacy and so on. Various agencies are pursuing the cause in different manner. All these agencies are working to help the user in seeking his/ her information and strengthen the competencies among the user.

 

6.1  UGC

 

University Grants Commission (India), since its establishment, has been playing a pivotal role in the advancement of the higher education system in India. UGC has launched various programmes to update and develop the abilities of the teachers of the higher education. These programmes are:

  • UGC supported orientation programmes, refresher courses and short-term courses for teachers of colleges and universities.
  • At present 66 UGC-Academic Staff Colleges (UGC-ASCs) are working to conduct these programmes.
  • Orientation programmes    and    refresher    courses           are    linked    with    promotions     ofteachers.>www.ugc.ac.in<

  6.2  Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET)

 

CIET founded as a constituent unit of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in 1984 has its objective, which underpins IL. “Its major aim is to promote utilization of educational technologies viz. radio, TV, films, Satellite communications and cyber media either separately or in combinations. The institute undertakes activities to widen educational opportunities, promote equity and improve quality of educational processes at school level.” >http://www.ciet.nic.in/<

 

6.3   National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL)

 

It is a joint initiative of Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and is funded by Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. This programme provides e-learning through online web and video courses in engineering, science and humanities streams and free online courseware. In phase one 260 courses have been made available and in phase two 1000 + courses shall be put forth. >http://nptel.iittm.ac.in<

 

6.4   Universities

 

University of Delhi incorporated a compulsory paper “Information Literacy Applications in LIS” at MLIS level.

Delhi University also conducts various programmes for the promotion of IL, namely:

  • Information Literacy and Competency Programme
  • Training the Trainers: Workshops on IL
  • Workshop on IL and Competency.

Various other Indian Universities, for instance the Sambalpur University, have incorporated IL as the part or unit of their curricula of BLIS and MLIS courses, Gulberg University incorporated IL as a paper in MLIS studies and University of Pune is having IL as an elective paper in MLIS studies. Indian universities have also prepared online information literary products designed for graduate and post graduate students. These are :-

  • Self directed tools for learning.
  • Online Tutorials
  • Course based online information literary products
  • Bilingual products
  • Teaching library activities.
  • Electronic Tutor System.

    6.5  Central Library of IIT Madras

 

Central Library of IIT Madras conducts various programmes in order to promote IL.

 

6.6   Various Projects

 

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) means Education for All. SSA is the flagship programme of Government of India with the collaboration of states and other related agencies to achieve Universal Elementary Education (UEE) through the decentralization of resources and active participation of local communities. The scheme was launched in 2001.

 

Government, Non- government organizations and Corporate houses have taken various initiatives to promote digital literacy or bridge digital divide in India specially in rural India The projects are : Akshaya Project, IT Kiosks, Indiaagriline.com, Information Village Research Project, E-Chaupal,I-Shakti of Hindustan Lever, NIRD Scheme, NATP Project, Rural E-Seva, Rural Library Network,Green Star, Janamitra Scheme, GRID Centre, Gyandoot, Digital Gaqngetic Plane, Tarahaat Project, Drishtee Project, Bhoomi Project, Rajnidhi Scheme, Rural Market, Rural Business Hubs, Lokmitra Project, Wired Village Project,Warana Wired Villages, Community Information Centers, Common Service Centre IT Kiosks, Sari Network, CLIC Project, etc. These projects have been very effective in information dissemination and in promoting IL. (Sharma, A.K.)

CSIR has published various self explanatory books on information technology under the IT literacy programme in India.

 

6.7  Indian Associations

 

Indian Library Association (ILA) was established in 1933. It is a national body of libraries and library professionals. ILA has organised a number of conferences focussing on IL related issues and also published conference proceedings, such as : 51st All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on “Libraries, Information Literacy and Lifelong Learning”, Kurukshetra December 16-18, 2005, Edited By Dr. (Mrs) R. Chandra, and others.

 

Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres (IASLIC) was fromed on 3rd September 1955 at Kolkata. IASLIC has organised several conferences focussing on IL and also published conference proceedings.

  1. Summary

Various organizations, institutions, association, agencies and individuals are associated with and taking keen interest in the development and promotion of IL at global and national level. In the present module many of such efforts have been taken into account. Many organisations has contributed in preparing and maintaining standards, guidelines, competency standards, blogs, help lines, listserv, etc to promote and strengthen the cause among masses.

 

A person equipped with IL can retrieve right information at right time. It is necessary that IL programme should be the integral part of academic courses at different levels of educational setup. Much is required on this front in India, hopefully, IL will get more importance in India in general and in academia in particular.

 

  1. References :
  • American Library Association (1989) Presidential Committee on Information Literacy : final report, Chicago, American Library Association,www.ala.org/ala/acrl-tandards/informationliteracycompetency.htm.
  • Association of College and Research Libraries. Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. Chicago : ALA, 2000.
  • http://infolit.org
  • http://milunesco.unaoc.org/
  • http://nptel.iittm.ac.in
  • http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0022/002256/225606e.pdf.
  • http://www.ala.org/acrl/publication/whitepaper/progressreport
  • http://www.ala.org/offices/sites/ala.org.offices/files/content/ola/informationliteracy.pdf
  • http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/insrv/educationandtraining/infolit/index.html
  • http://www.ciet.nic.in
  • http://www.cila.org.tw/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2013/04/%E7%BE%8E%E5%9C%8B_AASL-Information-Literacy-Standards-for-Student-Learning.pdf
  • http://www.cla.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Publications2&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=2715
  • http://www.ifla.org/information-literacy
  • http://www.ifla.org/information-literacy/conferences
  • http://www.informationliteracy.org.uk/
  • http://www.library.illinois.edu/infolit/
  • http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/intergovernmental-programmes/information-for-all-programme-ifap/
  • http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/intergovernmental-programmes/information-for-all-programme-ifap/
  • https://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1093&bih=521&q=i nternational+literacy+day&oq=International+Literacy+Day&gs_l=img.1.0.0j0i30l9.2945.11965.0.1473 8.26.18.0.8.8.0.248.3469.2-15.15.0….0…1ac.1.64.img..3.23.3660.z-ZsKjaynzI.
  • Journal of Information Literacy http://ojs.lboro.ac.uk/ojs/index.php/JIL
  • Sharma, AK. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan : An overview. In Chandrashekharaiah, ed.Mysore :JSS Mahavidyapeetha,2009.p43-58
  • UNESCO Media and Information Literacy. http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/media-development/media-literacy/mil-as-composite-concept/
  • UNESCO partners with European Commission to launch European Media and Information Literacy Forum>http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/resources/news-and-in-focus-articles/all-news/news/unesco_partners_with_european_commission_to_launch_european_media_and_information _literacy_forum/#.U4ryEChqMrQ<
  • www.cilip.org.uk
  • www.ugc.ac.in