Information Literacy in the Scottish Government

Jenny ForemanLesley Thomson

March 2009

A smarter Scotland is at the heart of everything we want to achieve for this country. We can only build a Scotland that is wealthier and fairer, one that is healthier, safer, stronger and greener, if people are equipped with the skills, expertise and knowledge for success.

Fiona Hyslop, MSP. 2007. Skills for Scotland.

“If Scotland is to remain an advanced economy it is essential that its people should understand how to access information, assess it critically and use it discriminatingly, in other words be information literate and have the necessary information literacy skills and competencies.”

Dr John Crawford

What we found

• Inward looking information culture• Searching for information is a major

activity• Advanced search techniques not used• People are the primary source of

information

Challenges • “I borrowed books many years ago but

since everything has gone electronic the library has faded into obscurity”

• “In the age of the internet I see no need for, or relevance of, Library Services”

• “More efficient to search for the information I require myself since I am reasonably IT and internet literate”

What are we doing about it and why?

• Raised our profile

• Information strategy

• Information literacy strategy

Getting noticed

Training

• Google Treasure Hunt

• Essential Internet Skills

• Advanced Internet Skills

• Information ‘drop-ins’

• Induction

• “Most enjoyable, light-hearted and fun. I learnt about Advanced Google, so good I’ve used it twice in the last hour and managed to find information I’ve been looking for over the last couple of weeks.”

• “I hadn’t really thought about advanced searches before, so this was really beneficial.”

• “very useful as well as enjoyable – should be rolled out to everyone in the Scottish Government.”

Next steps

• Information literacy strategy buy in

• Closer working with stakeholders in the organisation

• Identify and pursue partnerships with external stakeholders

Future developments

• Investigate the information needs of complex users

• Continue to develop our information skills training provision

• Support Scottish Government information professionals in their role as information skills educators

Future developments cont’d

• Measure and evaluate our success

• Promote information literacy across

the public sector in Scotland

Any questions?