Information literacy, policy issues and employability

Crawford, John; Irving, Christine

Abstract

Although the term information literacy dates back to 1974 it has developed as a powerful information ideology only in the past twenty years. There is still much debate about how it should be defined and what topics it embraces. It remains largely located within the information profession but within the past ten years it has been promoted as an international ideology with links to civil and human rights, lifelong learning and employability. Much of the research and development work within the sector has taken place in higher education where, while is has been promoted as an employability skill, it has been taught as an individual, rather than a collective skill and has been librarian directed. However information literacy as a collaborative, team based skill is now more recognised in the workplace although skill levels are often poor and there is a lack of overall strategic thinking. In promoting information literacy as an employability skill working with appropriate partners is essential as is the identification of specific appropriate information skills. Examples of good practice are included drawn from research and development work and community of practice activities. Sharing practice issues are explored and the role of communities of practice is explained. http://www.ijmcs-journal.org/IJMCS_July2014_JOHN%20CRAWFORD%20&%20CHRISTINE%20IRVING.pdf

Citation

Crawford, J., & Irving, C. (2014). Information literacy, policy issues and employability. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Comparative Studies, Volume, 8-25

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2014
• Deposit Date: Dec 3, 2014
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: Volume
• Pages: 8-25
• Keywords: Information literacy; lifelong learning; information society; employability; skills development; workplace; librarianship
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/7332