Information and Data Literacy ─ The Role of the Library

In an age where data flows non-stop, across all geographic borders and accessible to many, the job of providing information literacy has become much more exciting, more complicated, and more necessary.Information and Data Literacy: The Role of the Library takes a comprehensive look at the changing role of today’s librarians and libraries in an increasingly tech-driven world. You’ll find the authors of this book represent public and academic libraries, countries around the globe, and differences of opinion as to the definition, purpose, charge, and success of providing information and data literacy.

The book is divided into several parts, covering:

• Understanding the role of information and data literacy in the library

• The new and changing roles for librarians

• Methods for promoting information and data literacy

• New challenges for the library in the new information environment

• The need for information and data literacy for marginalized populations, including the homeless, those in rural settings, sexual minorities, and others

Addressing the trends and challenges at different types of libraries, the volume provides an overview of information and data literacy in the library and offers an array of perspectives. Topics cover:

• The role of the public library as a community hub

• Student information literacy in the mobile environment

• Information literacy in schools

• How the information landscape has changed library reference services

• Library instruction and exercises to promote information literacy for both traditional students and those in continuing education

Edited by a consultant with the Freedom to Read Foundation who is a former outreach and assistive technology librarian, the book offers a wealth of information for beginning librarians as well as for seasoned library professionals looking for new methods to evaluate and promote data and information literacy.