Library Association of Ireland Task Force on Information Literacy (TFIL): Challenges and New Directions

This paper outlines the work of Library Association of Ireland’s (LAI) Task Force on Information Literacy (TFIL), which was convened in 2011 to make recommendations to the LAI for the development of a cohesive national strategy for information literacy education and advocacy across all LIS sectors in Ireland. The paper will outline the background to the development of TFIL and how the group came together to advance the recommendations of the LAI Working Group on Information Literacy (WGIL – 2006-2008). TFIL is represented by all library sectors and the paper will describe how TFIL has played a significant role in advancing a policy driven approach for digital and information literacy at national level and outline the rationale for the recent merger of TFIL with the LAI Task Force on Literacy & Numeracy. The paper will present the terms of reference of the group in the context of Government strategies for digital and information literacy and highlight the key role to be played by libraries in all sectors in Ireland’s digital agenda. The authors will highlight the key national digital/information literacy strategy initiatives of the past three to five years; identify the major themes and discuss some of the key concerns. TFIL is currently investigating best practice digital and information literacy activities in the various library sectors in Ireland, focusing on practical and collaborative ways in which DL/IL education can be further developed and advancing the goal of a more integrated national strategy. TFIL is also active in ongoing advocacy initiatives, promotion and dissemination of information, which have proved vital to raising awareness of the strategic value of digital and information literacy nationally. These activities will be discussed in the paper, in addition to some of the difficulties and practicalities of the cross-sectoral approach. Suggestions for further research and development and a vision for library participation in the digital and information literacy agenda in Ireland will also be outlined. The overall aim is to contribute to the development of a national strategy for digital and information literacy for Ireland and promote the development of these skills in education, the workplace and wider society. Context The authors are currently members of the Library Association Task Force on Information Literacy