Definition

Information literacy is a set of abilities allowing individuals to “recognize when information is needed and how to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information." (American Library Association, 1989). Information literacy content focuses on the process of finding, analyzing and making decisions based on this information that is the foundation for evidence-based practice.

Reference

American Library Association. (1989). Presidential Committee on Information Literacy. Final Report. Chicago: American Library Association. http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/informationliteracycompetency#ildef

Resources

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/issues/infolit/overview/intro/index.cfm
Association of College and Research Libraries: Introduction to Information Literacy

http://library.nyu.edu/research/subjects/health/tutorial/
Nursing Resources: A Self-Paced Tutorial and Refresher From the Bobst Library at New York University. This tutorial includes the basics on literature searching, formulating search strategies, information on identifying sources for evidence-based practice, and searching on the Web.