Library Plays A Great Role in Enhancing Information Literacy
Sanjay Kumar Nayak
The phrase "information literacy" first appeared in print in a 1974 report written on behalf of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science by Paul G. Zurkowski, who was at the time president of the Software and Information Industry Association. Zurkowski used the phrase to describe the "techniques and skills" learned by the information literate "for utilizing the wide range of information tools as well as primary sources in molding information solutions to their problems" and drew a relatively firm line between the "literates" and "information illiterates".
Now a days, because of technological enhancement, many students and practitioners have understood the necessity of information literacy and the importance of emerging technologies and the evolving library.
Many schools & universities have started adopted a 1:1 program to bring the awareness about Information Literacy through meaningful interaction with library. The library has been cornerstone of every school and academic Universities. No one knows how to make the efficient use of library. Because of the Information Literacy program many scholars are saving time to navigate the information and also reaching at authentic information for their intellectual outputs.
While the aesthetics & presentation of the library must change, the mission is still the same: connect students to vast networks of information. As many interconnected with more technology, the need for orienting library services towards information literacy is becoming a necessary skill all students must learn and develop.
Approach #1- Transforming Library Services
Educational Institutions must come together to develop a committee that will work towards evolving the library services and allow all its users & librarians to exchange ideas in a collegial manner. There is a need to improve the collections and evaluate which books we can still use, and which we can replace with new publications. We can conduct engaging sessions for the learners if they are seen distracted. For this we can harness new technologies and blend them with ageless resources for establishing relationship with Library.
Approach #2: Transforming Infrastructural Design
The next step is to bring innovation with Library Design. The primary objective of any design to accommodate the library resources like books, periodicals, manuscripts and many more but with blended format and emerging technologies. It should look like café house with plenty of outlets for learners to connect as well as comfortable places to read a book. In our earlier practice, there used to be print books, periodicals and encyclopedia sets, which have been enhanced with digital learning devices like i-Pad, MAC Book etc. We must accept that the modern library is everywhere, but to use it effectively, they must attend Information Literacy program. There is one element that is getting transformed to accommodate the current learners need is the role of Librarian, Information Officer, Knowledge Manager etc.
Approach #3: Transforming the Role of Library Professionals
While books and periodicals are getting less attention in comparison to Kindles and iPads, the role of Library professional will never fade. However, they have gone ahead in accepting the new responsibilities for educating learners connecting them with right sources of information. Learners are getting trained how to effectively search website, navigate, and use the information for better contribution to their profession as well as to the society.
The library will always have a place in academic places of learning. The technology may change but the mission & objective will endure. Professionals must find ways to integrate lessons in information literacy and lead learners in the direction of accessing information and making smart decisions. They must possess the skills to discern and filter credible information while sifting through the weeds.
There are many library professionals out there making great strides in promoting a new direction in information literacy, however, there is a long way to go ahead in offering Information Literacy to all the knowledge seekers.
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