Information
Literacy Summit
2013

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About the Summit

About the Summit

The annual Information Literacy Summit, hosted by Moraine Valley Community College Library, John A. Logan College Library and Illinois State University Milner Library, brings together librarians and other educators from all levels of education to support information literacy instruction throughout Illinois. The Information Literacy Summit is an outstanding collaborative event that has enhanced our state since its development in 2002.

Information literacy is often summarized as locating, evaluating and effectively using information in a socially, ethically, and legally responsible way. It is an important competency that is addressed at all levels of development, including post-school lifelong learning. In Illinois, grade schools and high schools include it in their curriculum as part of the Illinois Learning Standards. Colleges, including Moraine Valley, include information literacy in general education outcomes. The U.S. Department of Labor, in its Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) report, recognized information competency as one of five competencies needed in an effective workplace. Information literacy plays a key role in the education framework promoted by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (www.21stcenturyskills.org), which describes itself as "bringing together the business community, education leaders, and policymakers to define a powerful vision for 21st century education."

Information Literacy Summit participants represent colleges, universities, schools, public libraries, library systems, and other organizations. The Summit's discussions encourage collaboration and shared understanding in a way that supports our students and encourages learning. Because we hold the event at three locations around Illinois, we can ensure that the information literacy discussion is available statewide. Each year approximately 140 people participate throughout the state.

The Information Literacy Summit is a daylong event that begins with a keynote speaker and continues with breakout sessions. On participant evaluation forms, Summit attendees frequently say that the many opportunities for discussion and network are very valuable elements of the day.

Moraine Valley Community College received the Metropolitan Library System's 2008 Best Practices in a Library Award for its work developing and hosting the annual Information Literacy Summit. Through the years, the Information Literacy Summit has benefited from the support of organizations including:

• Network of Illinois Learning Resources in Community Colleges (NILRC)

• Southern Illinois Learning Resource Centers (SILRC)

• The Illinois State Library (ISL), a division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), under the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)

• Illinois State University Milner Library's "Information Power to the People: Investigating the Feasibility of an Illinois Center for Information Literacy" grant, funded by the ISL, a division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the IMLS, under the federal LSTA.