Information Literacy: A Tool of Empowerment for the People of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh

Introduction

With the digital configurations, the perceptions of literacy are becoming increasingly numerous. It is almost as if each new technology has to overturn the existing frameworks. Following initial acceptance based around documentary usage therefore (“library literacy” or “library instruction” or “user education”), the terms “computer literacy,” “technology literacy,” “visual literacy,” “media literacy,” or even “digital literacy” are also used in reference to a variety of skills (some more specific than others), either in the form of a synonym, as a form of complementarily, or to represent the different facets of a group of skills encompassed by the generic term “information literacy.” It is not insignificant, moreover, to note that the plural form is becoming more widespread with terms such as “new literacies” or “multi-literacies” or “multiple literacies”—and the French equivalent “littératies multiples” (Canada)—or even “21st century literacies” in the United States. Similarly, the all-encompassing concept of “media literacy,” now enjoys a certain degree of usage in the scientific community (most notably in the United Kingdom). Some, however, prefer a hybrid concept such as “media and information literacy” or even “information and digital literacies.” The more transversal concepts of “multicultural literacy,” “critical literacy,” “knowledge management,” and “lifelong learning” are all linked to IL. Curiosity and creativity and self-efficacy are also considered as essential attributes of IL. The importance of the contextual aspect is reinforced by the acknowledged necessity to formulate specific problem-solving strategies. With these new approaches, IL is perceived as a prerequisite for academic success, professional success, and even for life as a citizen. Although it can hardly be considered as providing a clear representation, this profusion of concepts is extending the debate beyond the frontiers of the library world, and is refocusing on the cultural capital essential for constructing a pupil's autonomy. In spite of the semantic diversity, one has to acknowledge the convergence trend with regard to all the issues related to IL. It is now the issue of implementing these concepts in the academic system that is crucial.

The Prague Declaration in 2003 (UNESCO, 2005) included a definition of information literacy, positioning information literacy within lifelong learning, namely: