CILIP's definition of information literacy
In 2003 the Information Literacy Executive met to agree a definition of information literacy for use by CILIP members. The definition was approved by CILIP Council in December 2004 as CILIP's definition on information literacy.
CILIP's definition of information literacy:
Information literacy is knowing when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner.
This definition implies several skills. We believe that the skills (or competencies) that are required to be information literate require an understanding of:
- A need for information
- The resources available
- How to find information
- The need to evaluate results
- How to work with or exploit results
- Ethics and responsibility of use
- How to communicate or share your findings
- How to manage your findings