"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write,
but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."
~ Alvin Toffler ~
Proliferation of new technologies has greatly increased the amount, type and quality of information readily
available to our students and community members. More and more success in higher education and in the workplace
depends on information literacy skills and the ability to use information resources independently and effectively.
The Library spearheaded the CSI information literacy initiative - fostering information literacy and lifelong learning is an important component of the Library’s mission.
Information literacy means many things to many people, but most agree that it is an essential skill in today’s knowledge-based society:
Colleges and libraries have an obligation to help students develop curiosity, desire to explore, as well as problem solving
and critical thinking skills by learning how to effectively and efficiently search for, access, and retrieve information,
as well as how to critically evaluate, summarize, analyze, and synthesize information. Information literacy skills will
help our students pursue lifelong learning, take advantage of the opportunities offered by a global information society,
and ultimately become informed and responsible citizens.
The goal of our information literacy initiative is to assist our students in becoming independent lifelong learners who can make informed decisions. In today’s information intensive society, information literacy is a general education requirement. CSI has developed a 3-credit online course on Information Literacy, as well as a state-of-the-art Information Literacy Center. The Library offers ongoing online as well as face-to-face information literacy training.
The information literacy initiative was implemented based on research, established standards, and existing information on best practices. The various training programs focus on fostering intellectual curiosity and developing independent lifelong learners who understand the role of information in a democratic society and can make informed decisions by using critical thinking and problem solving skills. Participants in the training programs learn how to recognize when information is needed, the type and amount of information needed, as well as how to effectively and efficiently search for, access, and retrieve information. Special emphasis is placed on how to critically evaluate information retrieved, as well as summarizing, analyzing, synthesizing, managing, communicating, presenting, and using the information. The program helps participants become productive citizens and judicious users of information by learning to apply strategies for evaluation, as well as legal and ethical uses of information.
Information Literacy LIIS270 3-credit Online Course