Library - Information Literacy

Information Literacy

ACC Library Information Literacy Subject Guide

ACC Library Research Process Subject Guide

What is Information Literacy?

Information Literacy is the ability to identify what information you need, understanding how the information is organized, identifying the best sources of information for your needs, locating sources, evaluating sources critically, and sharing that information. It is one of the most important set of skills needed to successfully get through college.

Why should I care about Information Literacy?

Information literacy is critically important to you, the student because your success in college depends on your ability to research and communicate your findings to your professor. The better you can do that the better your grades will be. In today's information age, we are surrounded by a growing ocean of information in all formats. Not all of that information is created equally; some is authoritative, some is current, some is reliable, all of it is biased one way or another, some is possibly out of date and some is misleading and or false. The amount of information increases daily as do the technologies used to access, manipulate, and create information. Your information literacy skills will be used in school to write research papers and make presentations. They can be used at work where the ability to find, evaluate, use and share information is an essential skill and one that will directly impact your chances of advancement and promotion. Consumer decisions, such as buying a house, a car or choosing a college for yourself or your children are critical. You can also use these skills to participate in and influence the political process as an informed citizen who understands issues and obligations. Your future success in the workplace depends heavily on your abilities to use technological tools efficiently as you deal with information. The better you can do this, the higher your compensation should be.

How can I become information literate?

Like any set of skills, information literacy can be learned, practiced and improved. The idea of this page is to provide you with the foundations of information literacy that will help you to excel not only in school but in life. So let's get started.

What are the components of Information Literacy?

1. Research, or the art of finding valid information.
   Visit the ACC Library Research Process Subject Guide
2. Critical Thinking...Telling fact from fiction and reaching sound conclusions
   What is critical thinking?
3. Expression...You have to tell someone.
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