4. LIS Transformation Charter on
access to information
• Distribute status, wealth & power
• Makes for better people, less dependent
• More efficient & effective (productive) workers
• More responsive & responsible citizens
• Less conflict & disturbances
• More developed country, economic growth, job
creation
6. What is Information?
“Knowledge that you get about someone or
something; facts or details about a subject.“
Once you have internalised the information contained
in resources, it becomes knowledge, and you
become knowledgeable, and even grow into an
expert.
(Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
6
7. What is Research?
“Careful or diligent search; studious inquiry or
examination; especially : investigation or
experimentation aimed at the discovery and
interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or
laws in the light of new facts, or practical application
of such new or revised theories or laws; the collecting
of information about a particular subject.”
(Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
7
8. What is Literacy?
“The ability to read and write; knowledge that relates
to a specified subject.“
Also: Mathematical Literacy, Media Literacy, Reading
Literacy, Writing Literacy, Language Literacy, etc.
(Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
8
9. What is Information Literacy? (1)
“Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring
individuals to "recognize when information is needed
and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use
effectively the needed information.“
(Source: ALA & ACRL)
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10. What is Information Literacy? (2)
• Basic human right in a digital world
• Illuminates courses to development, prosperity,
freedom
• Empowers people to seek, evaluate, use, create
information effectively to achieve personal, social,
occupational, educational goals
• Promotes social inclusion in all nations
• Enables people to interpret & make informed
judgments as users of information sources
• Enables people to become producers of information
in their own right
10
(Source: UNESCO Information and Communication)
11. What is Information Literacy? (3)
• Information literate people are able to access
information about their health, environment,
education, work – empowers them to make critical
decisions about their lives – e.g. take more
responsibility for own health, education
• IL in digital world: users requires skills to use
information & communication technologies,
applications to access & create information
• Media and Information Literacy
(Source: UNESCO Information and Communication)
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14. What is Research Literacy? (1)
• Competencies that help individuals identify & fill
knowledge gaps
• Know when to use which method to collect
information (data)
• Search & use all kinds of resources
• Know where to start with finding information, when to
ask a librarian/other expert
• Ability to communicate researched information
effectively
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https://www.grinnell.edu/libraries/faculty-staff/teaching/research-literacy
15. What is Research Literacy? (2)
• Identify & express information need (research
question)
• Compile search strategy
• Assess quality & relevance of information found
• Synthesize existing content
• Research literacy = all that is required to become
lifelong learners
15
https://www.grinnell.edu/libraries/faculty-staff/teaching/research-literacy
19. Who are our users?
19
Infant
Toddler
Primary
School
Learner
Secondary
School
Learner
Student
Working
Adult
Senior
Adult
20. Ecosystem approach
“The ecological approach encourages us to think
of South African LIS in such a way that where the
flows of resources diminish, for example to school
libraries, we will recognise that because of our
interdependence, the weakness of one component
has the potential to weaken other components.”
(Source: LIS Transformation Charter)
21. Technology in the ecosystem
• Connection between integration of library and
information services, the diffusion of information
technologies, improved literacy and information
literacy levels, citizenship, and the evolution of
social cohesion and employment levels in the
economy as a whole
• Reading literacy, information literacy and
information technologies within an integrated
services system, could become the critical
ingredients of economic growth and social
development
(Source: LIS Transformation Charter)
24. Adult learners
• Prefer sense of self-control, autonomy, self-direction
• Learning must be relevant, purposeful, to achieve
goals
• Time limited
• Wealth of knowledge
• Results-oriented – expectations met
• Potential limitations
• Successful if internally motivated
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25. Child learners
• Other-directed – depend on teachers, parents
• Perception of time different
• Learn what they are told
• Limited experience base
• Learn quickly, open to new information & to change
views
• Expectations less well defined
• Externally motivated
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39. Digital citizenship (1)
Norms of appropriate, responsible behaviour with
regard to technology use
• Digital access for all (World Wide Web, Open
Access)
• Digital consumers doing online business
• Digital communication (social media, email)
• Digital literacy for searching & processing
information (traditional information literacy skills.
data management & visualisation, publishing –
download & upload)
• Digital etiquette
40. Digital citizenship (2)
• Digital law (plagiarism, illegal downloads, hacking,
creating and spreading worms, viruses, Trojan
Horses, sending spam, stealing identity)
• Digital rights & responsibilities (right to privacy, free
speech)
• Digital health & wellness (safety, self-care, cyber-
bullying)
• Digital security (virus protection, back-up’s)
http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html
51. Autodidactics
• Self-learning, Self-education, Self-teaching
51
Playwright George Bernard Shaw left formal education while still in
his mid-teens to become a clerk at an estate firm. He compared
schools to prison and said that "I did not learn anything at school."
Sir Terry Pratchett, a writer of science fiction, fantasy and children's
books, is quoted as saying "I didn't go to university. Didn't even
finish A-levels. But I have sympathy for those who did."
62. Conclusion
• Information & Research Literacy Curriculum
Framework (incl. communication, media, computer
literacy)
• Build in digital citizenship skills
• South Africa (incl. Africa)
• Sub-systems e.g. Public/Community Users, Post-
schooling Users, and more
• IL towards more entrepreneurs
• Librarians to be equipped with skills
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63. “For South Africa to be competitive, it is important
that it keeps up with the global trends in the
provision of modern LIS that exploit all the benefits
of ICTs.
The LIS sector’s capacity to contribute to the
nation’s ability to convert knowledge into
innovations and wealth will determine its value to
the nation.”
(Source: LIS Transformation Charter)