Description
In the 21st century, information literacy emerges as the cornerstone of educational development. Despite its paramount significance, a stark reality persists — students often traverse the corridors of academia without acquiring essential information literacy skills. This deficiency is exacerbated by a shortage of faculty training, leaving academic libraries to shoulder the responsibility of cultivating information-savvy individuals. Examining Information Literacy in Academic Libraries delves into the core challenges and solutions surrounding this critical educational imperative.
This book illuminates the role of academic libraries as bastions of information literacy instruction. The capacity of students and information consumers to seek, evaluate, and utilize information is paramount for informed decision-making ethically and legally. Regardless of whether or not students were brought up in the digital age, many lack the fundamental information literacy skills required for higher education. This deficiency manifests in academic malpractices, such as plagiarism, which compromise the integrity of educational institutions. Moreover, this imperative work contends that the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is not a distant concept but a present reality. The recent global upheaval caused by the Coronavirus pandemic accelerated the adoption of new technologies, necessitating a swift reassessment of our collective ability to navigate this everchanging digital and information landscape. Focusing on media literacy, data literacy, and digital literacy, with information literacy as the overarching domain, this book serves as a beacon for educators, librarians, and policymakers.
Author's/Editor's Biography
Sabelo Chizwina (Ed.)
Sabelo Chizwina
holds a PhD in Information Science from the University of South Africa. His research interests are in academic libraries, use of technology in teaching and learning and adoption of technology.
Mathew Moyo (Ed.)
Mathew Moyo holds a Masters and Doctoral degrees in Information Science, in addition to graduate qualifications in Knowledge and Information Systems Management and Leadership. His experience in academia spans more than 25 years. He has worked in various management as well as academic and research roles. Apart from his current role of a Chief Director, Mathew is affiliated to the Social Transformation Research Area where he continuous to make a contribution as a researcher. His work interests are in the areas of Governance and Leadership, Mentorship, Capacity Building, Teamwork, and Strategy, among others. His research interests are in the areas of Information Literacy, Information Behavior, Research Data Literacy, Knowledge and Information Systems Management, among others. In his current role as a Chief Director, Mathew is affiliated to a number of professional organizations and boards, including serving as the General Chair of the International Conference on Information Literacy (ICIL-Africa), which is a sister conference to the European Conference on Information Literacy (ECIL). He has presented papers at national and international conferences and appreciates collaborating with colleagues in similar research interests and area of expertise on both national and international levels.