What is Information Literacy?

Information literacy is the ability to identify, locate, evaluate, and use information effectively and ethically. It encompasses a range of skills that allow individuals to navigate the vast landscape of information, understand its creation and value, and utilize it for various purposes.

People don't create all information equally, and with the overwhelming number of results, it is our responsibility to find reputable sources to improve our information literacy. There are endless sources of information at our fingertips; for example, Google can find millions of results in just seconds, but how do we know which result is reputable, unbiased, and correct?

Key Resources

Research Support

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Book a 30 minute Online or In-Person Research Appointment with Library staff. 

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Access our Do It Yourself Guides containing simple step-by-step instructions for using our resources.

DIY Guides

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Our APA citation guide provides guidelines on how to cite sources, format research papers, and how to avoid plagiarism. It includes examples for headings, tables, and overall paper structure as well as instructions for creating in-text and reference page citations. 

APA Guide

Turnitin is a plagiarism detection tool that analyzes submitted papers against a vast database of academic articles, student work, and online publications to identify potential instances of plagiarism. It helps students identify and address potential plagiarism issues by highlighting textual similarities.

Turnitin

Our AI Guide provides students with information and resources to understand and uphold the principles of honesty, fairness, and responsibility in their academic work. It outlines expectations for ethical conduct, including avoiding plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty.

AI Student Guide

Our Plagarism guide outlines what plagiarism is, why it's a serious academic offense, and how to avoid it. It explains that plagiarism involves using someone else's ideas or words without proper attribution, whether intentionally or unintentionally and emphasizes the importance of proper citation and referencing.

Plagarism Guide

To access the Library's licensed resources off-campus, you will need to sign in with your 9-digit student or employee ID and password. Example: 000101060@mohawkcollege.ca

If you do not know your Mohawk ID

  • Students & Alumni: Your ID# can be found on your fee statement or by contacting The Registrar's Office Student Services 
  • Applicants: Your ID# can be found on your Letter of Acknowledgement, Offer of Admission, or fee statement.
  • Employees: Contact your manager

For help with account issues, visit the Information Technology Services webpage.

Search Everything

Search almost all of the Library's resources at once using The Search Everything tool.

 

Featured Resource

Seven Pillars of Information Literacy

The Society of College, National, and University Libraries (SCONUL) model identifies Seven Pillars of Information Literacy. These pillars are a general guide and not a step-by-step process. You will likely visit these concepts out of order and revisit them as you progress.

  • Identify: Understand Your Information Need
  • Scope: Know What Is Available
  • Plan: Develop Research Strategies
  • Gather: Find What You Need
  • Evaluate: Assess Your Research Process and Findings
  • Manage: Organize Information Effectively and Ethically
  • Present: Share What You've Learned

Related Guides