Definitions of information literacy

• Recognize when they have a need for information
• Identify the kinds of information needed to address a given problem or issue
• Develop a search strategy and find and evaluate the needed information
• Organize the information and use it effectively to address the problem at hand
• Use the information legally and ethically.

CUNY Council of Chief Librarians
Information literacy white paper

The American Library Association (ALA) defines information literacy as:

• the ability to recognize when information is needed
• and to locate,
• evaluate
• and use effectively the needed information.

Information literacy is "the ability to locate, evaluate, and use information to become independent life-long learners"

Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). (1996).
Criteria for Accreditation, Section 5.1.2 [Library and Other Information Resources]. 10th ed.

Pacific Bell/UCLA Initiative for 21st Century Literacies. E-Literate video. (video is short – about 11 minutes, and can be watched on-line with streaming video. It’s amusing and informative and is reportedly popular with students when shown in class. There’s a videotape copy in John Jay library media collection).