Information literate individuals have the ability to define their information needs, to find information efficiently and to critically evaluate what they have found in order to integrate it into their work. The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has developed a rich resource guide which features an overview of information literacy terms and concepts, information literacy resources and ideas, and standards and guidelines information including ACRL’s Information Literacy Standards for Higher Education.

A specific set of specialized skills and competencies are relevant for the information literate individual in a business context. A number of initiatives have been undertaken in a higher education context to define information competencies for business students. For example, BRASS, the business information specialists’ division of the American Library Association (ALA) has published guidelines on this which appeared in an issue of the division newsletter titled Academic BRASS.

Why Teach Business Students Information Literacy Skills?

Research has shown that information literacy competencies of students at university, in the absence of guidance and instruction, tend to be weak. Teaching information literacy skills to students at university typically results in higher quality student research papers, and business students are no exception here. Information literacy instruction can also help reduce anxiety and confusion among students who may find themselves overwhelmed in today’s complex information world. High level business information competence skills are also commonly sought by today’s employers so teaching information literacy at university can play an important role in enhancing students’ effectiveness in future professional employment.

Business online resources provide unique and sophisticated search engines. Students benefit from instruction which helps them to identify which resources will be most helpful in meeting their research needs. They are also taught search strategies related to the specific databases so that they can search them effectively.

Further Reading Materials

Have we piqued your interest? An impressive list of readings relating to integration of information comptence within different disciplines has been compiled under the auspices of the Information Competence Initiative at California State University. Faculty or students who are interested in information literacy in higher level education in a business context can draw from a rich reading list of suggested articles highlighting definitions and the rationale for teaching business students information literacy skills. Many examples of successful initiatives to integrate information literacy skills into business courses in a university or college environment are also given.

Created by Sophie Bury YUL/ Bronfman Business Library / 09/2006 Revised by Elizabeth Watson January 2010