LAI Working Group on Information Literacy The LAI has established a Working Group on Information Literacy (WGIL) to recommend strategies for the development of information skills education at both a theoretical and practical level in the Library and Information Services sector in Ireland. (The full terms of reference for the WGIL are below). HSLG Members and Health Information Literacy As information literacy and health information literacy are becoming increasingly relevant to our work we wish to showcase examples of information literacy/health information literacy practice in Irish health sciences libraries on the HSLG website. Examples of practice will in turn be used to inform the work of the LAI WGIL, which will be seeking models of practice from across the library and information sector as part of its remit. We therefore invite HSLG members engaged in any form of information literacy or health information literacy activity to send details of activities to the HSLG representative on the WGIL Kate Kelly, NUI Galway. Some Resources

• Information Literacy in General
  • The Information Literacy website A collaborative project of CILIP and other UK library and information representative bodies provides resources on definitions, examples of practice, standards and more.
  • CILIP Information Literacy Section
  • The ACRL Information Literacy website From the American Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) includes standards and guidelines, resources and ideas. The Instruction Section of the ACRL provides links and citations to Information Literacy in the Disciplines including health sciences.
  • ANZIL Australian and New Zealand Institute for Information Literacy Provides a subject searchable resource section and useful links.
  • IFLA International Information Literacy Resources Directory Database created by the Information Literacy Section of IFLA on behalf of UNESCO to record information literacy materials from different parts of the world.
• Health Information Literacy
  • Health Information Literacy Index From the U.S. Medical Library Association (MLA) resources and definitions of health information literacy.
  • A Quick Guide to Health Information Literacy From the US Dept. of Health & Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
  • Health Information Literacy From McGill Life Sciences Library, Canada. Includes readability tests and health information literacy projects.
• Information Literacy in Ireland (with a focus on health)
  • Report of the CONUL Working Group on Information Skills Training, 2004 Note in particular :Appendix 2, Institutional Reports, and Appendix 3, Report on Teaching Evidence-based Healthcare.
  • Handbook of Enquiry and Problem-based Learning: Irish Case Studies and International Perspectives From the All Ireland Society for Higher Education (AISHE), 2005.
  • Health libraries in Ireland & their role in the delivery of a modern health service Library Association of Ireland submission to the Department of Health and Children for the National Health Information Strategy, May 2002.

LAI Working Group Terms of Reference In today’s knowledge society, with information available in many formats, and of varying quality, it is essential that citizens have the ability to retrieve, evaluate and use information effectively. The desirability of such information skills is set out in Irish Government policy, and by facilitating, enabling and empowering citizens to develop these skills, we can contribute to them becoming independent and successful lifelong learners. Terms of Reference:

• To recommend appropriate guidelines for the practical development of information skills education across the Irish Library & Information Services sector.
• To recommend strategies for promoting and raising awareness of information skills in the Library and Information Services sector in Ireland.
• To suggest further development opportunities for research and action on information skills education in Ireland
• To recommend actions for the strategic positioning of information skills within the context of lifelong learning in a learning and knowledge society, on the national Governmental agenda.

If you have any questions or would like further information contact: Kate Kelly, Nursing Library, NUI Galway. Tel: 091 495 228

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