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What is Information Literacy?

Information Literacy describes how we interact with information and how to improve those interactions. 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?

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. 

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

Resources for Information Literacy