Information Literacy and the Public Library: Danish Librarians’ Views on Information Literacy

Abstract

Abstract. This paper reports on the results of an empirical study of Danish public librarians' conceptions of information literacy and user education in order to support and optimize lifelong learning of library users. The study builds on data from interviews of purposely selected public librarians and a large-scale e-mail survey (questionnaire). The results show that the public librarians consider the public library an important place for learning, but also that they do not share a common understanding of the concepts of information literacy and lifelong learning. The study further reveals a diversity of user education in public libraries with a strong focus on the individuality of the user and that hands-on courses are preferred as the pedagogical form.Keywords: Information literacy, lifelong learning, public library, user education, information literacy instruction. IntroductionThis paper reports on a study of perception of information literacy and learning among public librarians and public library managers. In this study, we identify how they perceive information literacy and which types of courses and guidance they provide to the users. The study is motivated by a need for a deeper understanding of the role of the public library as a place for learning and how public librarians can support learning. This knowledge is essential for public librarians and library managers as a prerequisite to discuss, to improve, and to adapt information literacy education to users' needs. In order to improve information literacy instruction in the public library and to qualify public librarians for user education, one of the first things we need to understand is what information literacy is in the public library context, and how the public library support users through courses and guidance. It is therefore our ambition with the present study to enhance our understanding and to bring new insight on how information literacy is understood. As a result, public librarians may adjust services and pedagogies to the needs of individuals, as well as to specific target groups, when they design information literacy education. To do this, the present paper aims at answering the following research questions:1. How do public librarians perceive information literacy? 2. What types of courses are offered in the public library?