Information Literacy (Paperback)

~ Michael B. Eisenberg (Author), Carrie Lowe (Author), Kathleen L. Spitzer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This second edition of a 1998 work attempts to cover all aspects of information literacy, from the origins of the concept to its economic and political importance. The text is broken down into 10 chapters, beginning with the definition and evolution of the concept and extending to its presence in K-12 and higher education. The chapters in turn contain numerous subheadings, resulting in a useful quick-scan resource that provides rapid access to the background and context of this pervasive concept and a quick guide to past and present research and assessment efforts. There are numerous charts, outlines, and bulleted lists that provide articulate and concise summaries of the sometimes nebulous ideas surrounding information literacy. Extensive references, including an annotated ERIC bibliography of nearly 90 pages, are included. Finally, there are nine helpful appendixes on topics like chronology, rubrics, and standards. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

“A renowned expert on information literacy addresses history, economic importance, past and current research, theoretical underpinnings, and practical aspects. Global in scope.”–Library Journal

“[I]nformation Literacy provides a comprehensive overview of the history of information literacy, the theoretical foundations established by Carol Kuhlthau's work, as well as a working definition that will ease any uncertainty for those willing to join the authors on this enlightening journey.”–The Library Quarterly

“This excellent resource to consult for background on information literacy offers definitions; an overview of the research; and national and state standards for K-12, post-secondary, and industrial institutions.”–Reference & User Services Quarterly

“[H]ighly recommended to all academic libraries collecting education and library science materials, and to all school libraries.”–Curriculum Connections/School Library Journal

“Starred Review If you believe that information and technology literacy is the bedrock of your library media job, then you must acquire this book....Highly Recommended.”–Library Media Connection

“[A]ttempts to cover all aspects of information literacy, from the origins of the concept to its economic and political importance....a useful quick-scan resource that provides rapid access to the background and context of this pervasive concept and a quick guide to past and present research and assessment efforts.”–Booklist/Professional Reading

“School and academic librarians will appreciate the comprehensive treatment the authors bring to this critical topic.”–American Libraries

“The book is recommended for instructors and their students in university or college programs for school librarians, and for people who are developing information literacy programs at all educational levels.”–IASL Reviews Section

“Bottom Line: Build your theoretical base--start here.”–Teacher Librarian

“...a perfect book for student taking classes in information literacy or any introduction to information or education.”–Public Libraries

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited; 2 edition (January 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591581435
• ISBN-13: 978-1591581437
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #345,825 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Very Informative for a Book on Information Literacy!, January 25, 2005

By	Angel Wings "Angel Wings" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

I have read several chapters of this now and I am finding that most of what I am reading so far is extremely repetitive. I was very excited to get this book at first and to have the promise of a potentially comprehensive source to explain and explore the theoretical and practical aspects of up-to-date Information Literacy issues and impacts as well as future predictions, especially as it pertains to LIS and K-12.

However, so far this book is not saying anything that couldn't be summed up better in much shorter informational segments and paragraphs. It seems the authors go on and on and provide too many definitions of the same thing in different ways again and again. I think I am going to have to call this one a potentially intellectually fraudulent scam all the more ironic since it is supposed to be about perveying literate and good, not redundant information!

It is redundant and completely fails to hit its points home. I had the most hope for Chapter 9 on Information Technologies and I find this to be sadly lacking in any kind of even surface level touch on the impacts and uses of current technologies in information literacy today. I guess I was expecting a more robust indoctrination of the kinds of technologies and markup, semantic and more that educators and information professionals should know now to move into the realm of truly "informed" information integration, portability, and accessibility across a variety of media, ie the languages they should speak...

This book does state that being information literate relies on being in the know about good sources and correct uses/impacts of informational technologies...but as far as being a good source itself, referencing explicitly the kind of technologies and the means to access them this book doesn't seem so far to amount too much I can take away and get my hands dirty with, and this is a failure to me because how can I use it on the job? Conceptually I do not feel that 10 chapters are needed to express and define the concept of information literacy.

So in short I guess I have to say this book is great in theory, but in practice leaves little or nothing for the practioner to take away. I will go back over several chapters again as I was certainly hoping to get more out of it, and I spent $50 on this thing! But I think I want my money back - this just doesn't give me as much as it took away...and that is a sad statement on any book from my bibliophiliac perspective!!! Just my 2 bits!

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