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 Introduction to Information Literacy


Teaching of Information Literacy Skills is the ultimate responsibility of the classroom teacher. The library media specialists will play a collaborative role in creation and teaching of such skills at the most appropriate point of instructional need.

Realization of the fact that more than 50% of all skills that an individual student requires to perform satisfactorily are introduced in elementary school provides the framework of this document. The committees decided that:

  • Skills at the elementary level are introductory in nature

  • Skills at the middle level are reinforcement

  • Skills at the high school level represent the pursuit of mastery with the ultimate goal being that of creating the mindset of life-long learning

The intent at each instructional level is progressive. While it was the resolve of the committee to construct an instrument that has a similar framework, the distinct differences in skills lends itself to a different look.

The committee determined five themes that are constant throughout the library/media experiences of K-12 students.

  1. Access - defined as the ability to locate information. This correlates to Information Literacy Standard

    • Access information efficiently and effectively.

  2. Selection - defined as the ability to choose and discern information that best suits the intent of the learner (whether print or electronic). This theme also includes ability to determine accuracy and relevancy of the source.

ILS - 2, 4, 6, 9 Selection correlates to Information Literacy Standards:

2.    Evaluates information critically and competently.

4.    Pursues information related to personal interests.

6.    Strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation.

9.    Participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.


Utilization - defined as the ability to extract and apply information and/or resources to their determined needs. The student can synthesize a variety of information or opinions. This theme includes the research process that includes organizing, engaging, and molding the information. This themes correlates to Information Literacy Standards:

3.    Uses information effectively and creatively.

6.    Strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation.

7.    Recognizes the importance of information to a democratic society.

8.    Practices ethical behavior on regard to information and information technology.

9.    Participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.


Production - which is viewed as the natural follow-up to Access,Selection, and Utilization. This is the final product whether in the form of an oral presentation, report, web page, visual production, or video. Production represents how the information is used whether for assignment or for personal growth. This theme correlates to Information Literacy Standards:

6.    Strives for excellence in information seeking and        knowledge generation.

7.    Recognizes the importance of information to a democratic society.

9.    Participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.

  • Literary Appreciation - which is defined in and correlates to Information Literacy Standard:

    1. Appreciates and enjoys literature and other creative expressions of information.​