What I consider to be an information literate person

An information literate person according to the ALA is someone who can "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information" (2016). This does not mean a person who has access to information is an information literate person. It means they can not only find the information but they know what it means. They understand why the information is needed and important. It is knowing how to locate and evaluate information beyond finding the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a topic. It is understanding what you are looking for. A person who has a lot of information is not someone who necessarily understands all the information they have access to. Information literacy encompasses many different areas. Examples are books, audio, video, web, digital, reading, and writing. I am going to use an example of me trying to do a search for a particular group of people to explain how I think an information literate person would go about finding the information.

I think a person who is information literate must be able to use critical thinking skills. For example, if I was looking on the web for information about Hutterites for a research paper I first want to know the basics about who these people are. Now if some sort of reality television show pops up (I tried doing research on this and that is what happened) I know if I am an information literate person that the words I typed into my handy dandy search bar may not be the right wording. An information literate person would try different wording to locate different materials on the Hutterites or even a different search engine. In class we talked about how people have gotten lazy when searching for information on the web. An information literate person would have the skills to find quality work to use (locate information), know if a site is worth using by looking at it (evaluating), and be able to effectively use it. 

Information literacy goes beyond a basic skill level. Not only do information literate people need to have critical thinking skills, but they need problem solving skills. In the above example with my web search, if I was an information literate person I would have to use problem solving skills to get away from the reality television shows about the Hutterites and figure out a way to learn about their culture and belief system. I doubt a reality television show for a report on religious movements will be a valid source. I can problem solve by using different wording or trying to think outside the box by asking for only PDFs or e-books so I get rid of all the unwanted sites. Many people may know how to use a search engine, but they do not have the skills to use it properly to find what they want without sifting through a bunch of nonsense. 

On top of using these skills is computer literacy. In today's day and age technology is everywhere. Since I am in college I use a computer a majority of the time to do my homework. An information literate person would know how to use computers in a basic way, as well as be open to learning beyond the basics if needed.

One important thing I think this type of person needs is the ability to have long-term memory of information and knowledge. It is one thing for me to learn something to get a good grade on a test, but it is another to remember the information years down the road and apply it to my life. An information literate person has the ability to keep different pieces of information stored in their long-term memory for years. They are able to use it more than once in their lives. I wish I could say I remember some information from the last test I took, but I do not remember much about it. So I do not consider myself an information literate person. I have some of these skills, but I need improvement before I can become a successful information literate person. It takes time and effort for someone to achieve this goal.

Another thing people need to have information literacy is an open mind. If you are looking for information and you are so close-minded that you cannot think beyond the goal of one certain point then it will be hard to find what you are looking for (especially on the web). You have to be open to asking questions and rethinking your original idea to get information that is needed. Thinking outside the box is a great way to put information literate people's thinking strategies. If you can do that then you are trying to understand the information you are looking for or looking at.

A willingness to learn new strategies and technologies is a big step in becoming information literate. In this technological world a new device is being produce all the time. You must be willing to learn how to use these devices because of the evolving world of technology. It also helps to be information literate if you are trying to apply for a job or are being considered for a promotion. If you show a willingness to learn and change your ways of thinking for a job then you look more appealing to a future boss. 

Sites used:

 "Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education." Association of College and Research Libraries. American Library Association, 2016. Web. 29 Mar. 2016. <http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/informationliteracycompetency>.