Library and Information Research 105 - information literacy articles

The latest issue of Library and Information Research is now available online

Issue 105 contains a number of invited contribution papers (from the projects partners so) is focused on current information literacy initiatives in Scotland especially in the schools sector. 

Libraries R 4 Learning: supporting the Curriculum for Excellence in Aberdeenshire - Sue Cromar

Collecting case studies / exemplars of good practice to enrich The National Information Literacy Framework (Scotland) - Christine Irving

The future is skills - Ian McCracken

Congratulations to both Sue and Ian for their informative and interesting articles - keep up the good work.

Library and Information Research is published by the Library and Information Research Group. It publishes both refereed and non-refereed submissions. It is particularly keen to encourage

• new writers


• reporting of research (including informal or in-house research) by practitioners

So if this is you - why not contact them, they are very helpful and provide a template to aid your writing.

Good news for information literacy and GCU as Debbi Boden is appointed as Director of Library Services

Debbi is well known to the project through her involvement as Chair of CILIP's Information Literacy Group and LILAC (Librarians' Information Literacy Annual Conference) which is now in its sixth year and attracts international delegates.

Currently Deputy Director of Information and Learning Services at the University of Worcester since 2007 and prior to that was a Faculty Team Leader at Imperial College and Academic Liaison Librarian at the University of Luton. 

Debbi will start her new position on 22 March  2010 and we wish her well in her new post and welcome her back to Scotland where I'm sure she will be an enthusiastic active player in Information Literacy, Libraries, Learning and Teaching.

A Vision for Scotland: the report and final recommendations of the Literacy Commission December 2009

Just finished reading  A Vision for Scotland  report and identified a few items that tied in with the projects thinking and with the current project Real and Relevant – Information and Critical Literacy Skills for the 21st Century plus the work of our partners:

• 'it is necessary to start literacy programmes from a very early age' (p13)


• 'good CPD is an essential element of any successful programme, as it develops teachers’ skills, puts the teacher in charge and so helps build the necessary commitment at school level'. (p13)


• moving beyond basic literacy - "the need to move children beyond a basic level of literacy in order that they can fully engage with modern society and the workplace" (p14-15)

As indicated earlier, the Commission agreed from the outset that literacy is a continuum that extends beyond basic literacy skills. Different levels of literacy are needed; for example, for undertaking a modern apprenticeship, for most jobs (SCQF level 5) and for Further and Higher Education. In this age of information overload via the Internet, it is important that all youngsters are equipped with analytical skills so that they can understand not just the information that is provided but also its validity. Did the author of the information have a vested interest in persuading the reader of a particular version of the truth? Literacy is also not the sole responsibility of local authorities and schools. Literacy should go beyond the remit of formal education and become embedded across society in order to ensure continuous development. Partnership working, involving the public, private and voluntary sectors, is key if poor literacy across society is to be challenged. (p14 - 15).

• 'If young people are to develop these higher-order intellectual skills, it is crucial that they are explicitly taught'.

Young people should be made aware at the outset what skills they are going to acquire and why they are important. At the conclusion of any unit of work, they should be reminded of what they have learned and be made aware of its application. This element of metacognition is a crucial part of sound learning at any level. It is no less significant when dealing with learning at an advanced level. (p16)

Govan High School (project partner) is actively doing this with their co-ordinated system of skills, called “Future Skills” see posting about Ian McCracken, Learning Resources Manager, Govan High School presentation at the 2009 Project Open Meeting .  

It is important that the skill is seen as being of widespread application. The ability to use knowledge, understanding and skills in areas other than the one in which they were acquired is essential. In some highly specialised areas of learning, skills may be needed for very specific purposes and have few applications in other contexts. The higher-order skills, like analysis and critical thinking, which are associated with advanced literacy, are not like this; they have everyday significance in much the same way as basic decoding. They are the transferable skills of the 21^st century. (p16)

Within the recommendations are the following which we would certainly endorse and support:

• A national strategy should set priorities for assisting children to move beyond basic literacy by improving standards of comprehension and higher-order literacy skills. This strategy should be informed by research and by good practice.


• Progress of local schemes should be carefully monitored and good practice shared in a systematic process of continuous improvement and professional development.


• Raising levels of higher-order literacy-related skills should be a priority objective within the Curriculum for Excellence development programme. (p18)

The changing role of Jorum: sharing using JorumOpen and JorumUK

Jorum has now opened up for the sharing of resources, created under Creative Commons (CC) licences, through its new collection JorumOpen.

Jorum provides access to free learning and teaching resources, created and contributed by teaching staff from UK Further and Higher Education Institutions. Jorum offers two collections - JorumOpen and JorumUK, containing a wide variety of resources, including open educational resources that are freely available to all.

New copyright proposals look to benefit educational and research institutions

Copyright is a big problem so thanks to Carol Stewart for notifying me about news on the LTS website about New copyright proposals look to benefit educational and research institutions  .

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has opened the second stage of a consultation looking at specific amendments to UK copyright legislation, as identified by Andrew Gowers in his review of Intellectual Property.  

It is important that universities, schools and libraries have the tools to equip the students of today with the skills they need to complete their studies. 

The proposed changes will better reflect the needs of the modern education system by allowing the use of sound recordings, films and broadcasts which are not currently covered by the exceptions. 

The main proposals include: Educational Exceptions , Research and Private Study Exception, Archiving and Preservation Exception.

The consultation and its proposals are now available. Stakeholders are invited to consider the details of the proposed legislative changes and respond by 31 March 2010.

Have a look at the rest of the information on the LTS website plus engage with the consultation.