An Analysis of Information Literacy Education Worldwide

Abstract

This article was prepared for UNESCO, the United States National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, and the National Forum on Information Literacy, for use at the Information Literacy Meeting of Experts, Prague, The Czech Republic. The author explores some of the factors that facilitate and hinder the drive toward information literacy around the world, as reflected in publications of the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) between 1998 and 2002. Initiatives taken in the compulsory schooling sector are illustrated with reference to the degree of existing literacy and technological infrastructure in particular countries, together with differing understandings of information literacy. The transition from literacy to information literacy and school library programs, promising practices in addressing students' learning needs, and those of their teachers are explored. Promising government initiatives are outlined, and recommendations for future progress are made.