To make the most of information, people need to have the skills to be confident, competent users.
Libraries have long known this, supporting students and researchers in navigating through available resources, in particular in order to improve research.
As information has become more and more abundant, the need to make choices about what to trust, and how to do this, has become an issue in almost all aspects of society.
The most high-profile examples are of course around deliberate misinformation (or ‘fake news’), in particular on social media.
But in many elements of life, the availability of reliable information does not necessarily mean that the people who need it are able to use it.
However, with policy often made by people who are already confident users of information – digital and otherwise – the importance of helping people develop information literacy is often overlooked.
Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week, which falls this week, is an opportunity to correct this, and secure the support needed to provide meaningful information literacy skills to all.
So for our 69th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, be able to explain why information literacy matters.
Take a look of course in particular at what is taking place this week, in the context of Global MIL Week in particular.
But also think about examples of how information literacy has helped people achieve their goals through your library.
Alternatively, think about what the costs of a lack of information literacy are – what opportunities do people miss out on?
And then, think about how you can present this argument to a busy decision-maker, ensuring that they also understand the importance of information literacy for all!
Share your arguments and examples in the comments box below.
Good luck!
This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 1.1 Show the power of libraries as drivers of sustainable development.
As we publish more ideas, you will be able to view these using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.