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 1).

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 2)

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). In our information-centric world, students must develop skills early on so they are prepared for post-secondary opportunities, whether in the workplace or in pursuit of higher education.

History of the concept

Other important events include:

• 1974: The related term ‘Information Skills' was first introduced in 1974 by Zurkowski to refer to people who are able to solve their information problems by using relevant information sources and applying relevant technology (Zurkowski, 1974).
• 1983: A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Education Reform
• shows that we are "raising a new generation of Americans that is scientifically and technologically illiterate."
• 1986: Educating Students to Think: The Role of the School Library Media Program
• outlines the roles of the library and the information resources in K-12 education
• 1987: Information Skills for an Information Society: A Review of Research
• includes library skills and computer skills in the definition of information literacy
• 1988: Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs
• 1989: National Forum on Information Literacy (NFIL), a coalition of more than 90 national and international organizations, has its first meeting
• 1998: Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning
• Emphasizes that the mission of the school library media program is "to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information."

Specific aspects of information literacy (Shapiro and Hughes, 1996)