what is an information literacy

Several conceptions and definitions of information literacy have become prevalent. For example, one conception defines information literacy in terms of a set of competencies that an informed citizen of an information society ought to possess to participate intelligently and actively in that society (from [5]).
The American Library Association's (ALA) Presidential Committee on Information Literacy, Final Report states, "To be information literate, a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information" (1989).
Jeremy Shapiro & Shelley Hughes (1996) define information literacy as "A new liberal art that extends from knowing how to use computers and access information to critical reflection on the nature of information itself, its technical infrastructure and its social, cultural, and philosophical context and impact." (from [6])
Information literacy is becoming a more important part of K-12 education. It is also a vital part of university-level education (Association of College Research Libraries, 2007).
On May 28, 2009, U.S. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger posted an Executive Order establishing a California ICT Digital Literacy Leadership Council and an ICT Digital Advisory Committee. [7]
On October 1, 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama's designated October 2009 "National Information Literacy Awareness Month" [8]
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