Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning

Standard 1

The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.

• Recognizes the need for information
• Recognizes that accurate and comprehensive information is the basis for intelligent decision making.
• Formulates questions based on information needs.
• Identifies a variety of potential sources of information.
• Develops and uses successful strategies for locating information.

Standard 2

The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently.

• Determines accuracy, relevance, and comprehensiveness.
• Distinguishes among facts, points of view, and opinion.
• Identifies inaccurate and misleading information.
• Selects information appropriate to the problem or question at hand.

Standard 3

The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively.

• Organizes information for practical application.
• Integrates information into one’s own knowledge.
• Applies information in critical thinking and problem solving.
• Produces and communicates information and ideas in appropriate formats.

Standard 4

The student who is an independent learner is information literate and pursues information related to personal interests.

• Seeks information related to various dimensions of personal well-being, such as career interests, community involvement, health matters, and recreational pursuits.
• Designs, develops, and evaluates information products and solutions related to personal interests.

Standard 5

The student who is an independent learner is information literate and appreciates literature and other creative expressions of information.

• Is a competent and self-motivated reader.
• Derives meaning from information presented creatively in a variety of formats.
• Develops creative products in a variety of formats.

Standard 6

The student who is an independent learner is information literate and strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation.

• Assesses the quality of the process and products of personal information seeking.
• Devises strategies for revising, improving, and updating self-generated knowledge.

Standard 7

The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and recognizes the importance of information to a democratic society.

• Seeks information from diverse sources, contexts, disciplines, and cultures.
• Respects the principle of equitable access to information

Standard 8

The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology.

• Respects the principles of intellectual freedom.
• Respects intellectual property rights.
• Uses information technology responsibly.

Standard 9

The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.

• Shares knowledge and information with others.
• Respects others’ ideas and backgrounds and acknowledges their contributions.
• Collaborates with others, both in person and through technologies, to identify information problems and to seek their solutions.
• Collaborates with others, both in person and through technologies, to design, develop, and evaluate information products and solutions.

 

Source: Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning. Chicago: American Library Association, 1998.