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The importance of information literacy has taken a back seat to a world that focuses on technology.
While much has been done to address the digital divide, awareness concerning the importance of information literacy (IL) has taken a back seat to a world that focuses on technology. Librarians and educators have done amazing things to address the content and context side of the information and knowledge continuum, but how to apply what they've learned and developed outside these communities has proved challenging. Many sectors need assistance adapting these models and guidelines to their own situations; variations in culture mean that the starting points for discussion concerning information literacy, and the emphasis of information literacy training efforts, must shift to take into consideration the needs of a social group.
This article traces the genesis of a global effort to address information literacy education and training beyond discussions taking place within the library and education communities. UNESCO (www.unesco.org), in cooperation with key allies, has worked to take the fruits of individual efforts - by nations in the form of information literacy policies; by organizations such as library associations around the world; and by entities such as universities that have implemented successful information literacy programs - and make them more accessible to those who are in a position to provide information literacy education, training, and guidance within their own institutions and beyond. We have been involved in the literacy programs. In the next few pages, we review the progress made thus far and present a vision for future actions that are required to ensure that information literacy training expands beyond the countries and institutions where it is most prevalent today. We close the article with a representative sampling of resources available on information literacy program design, development, and implementation that has been helpful to participants of UNESCOsponsored workshops. (See the chart starting on page 28.)
A Meeting of Experts
Information, communication, and technology (ICT) literacy has been a topic of discussion between information professionals and the public for some time now. Librarians, in particular, understand that just putting a computer on someone's desk does not necessarily mean that the best information to solve a problem will be located quickly or applied in an appropriate manner. Educators-particularly those...