Foundations of Information Literacy

The ideal text for acquainting LIS students and practitioners with this important cornerstone of librarianship, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to information literacy—spanning institutions, cultures, and nations—through the lenses of information, technology, education, employment, engagement, society, policy, democratic governance, and human rights.

It’s not hyperbole to conclude that in today’s world, information literacy is essential for survival and success; and also that, if left unchecked, the social consequences of widespread misinformation and information illiteracy will only continue to grow more dire. Thus its study must be at the core of every education. But while many books have been written on information literacy, this text is the first to examine information literacy from a cross-national, cross-cultural, and cross-institutional perspective. From this book, readers will

• learn about information literacy in a wide variety of contexts, including academic and school libraries, public libraries, special libraries, and archives, through research and literature that has previously been siloed in specialized publications;
• come to understand why information literacy is not just an issue of information and technology, but also a broader community and societal issue;
• get an historical overview of advertising, propaganda, disinformation, misinformation, and illiteracy;
• gain knowledge of both applied strategies for working with individuals and for addressing the issues in community contexts;
• find methods for combating urgent societal ills caused and exacerbated by misinformation; and
• get tools and techniques for advocacy, activism, and self-reflection throughout one’s career.

Examination copies are available for instructors who are interested in adopting this title for course use. An e-book edition of the text will be available shortly after the print edition is published.