What's New at PA Forward®

Keystone Scholars and the PA Library Association

The PAForward™ Program of the Pennsylvania Library Association through its ongoing partnership with the Pennsylvania Treasury Department’s Keystone Scholars program […]

Read More

Pennsylvania Library Association

Pennsylvania Library Association 2021 Conference & Expo – Welcome, Neighbor! The Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) is the oldest professional library […]

Read More

Covid Resource Library

We invite you to download and share the following COVID-19 communication materials.  Scroll down for a collection of our latest […]

Read More

Information Literacy

How is information literacy defined?

Having the ability to express, connect with and understand knowledge and communication through comprehensive and innovative formats; the ability to distinguish between credible and non-credible sources; recognizing when information is needed to further oneself, an objective or a project.

One of the first skills in developing information literacy is being able to tell the difference between fact and opinion.

One of the first skills in developing information literacy is being able to tell the difference between fact and opinion.

students-working

Many teachers report that their students are better finders of information because of the accessibility of online resources, while other studies indicate that the overall presence of library (information literacy) instruction is the determining factor between higher and lower grade point averages in college students.

Research shows that increased access to sophisticated technological social tools and increased connectivity via smart phones, laptops, and other handheld devices is changing the behavior of several generations. Frequently cited generational differences are now blurring.

multi-generation-male
senior-adult-learning

Senior citizens are disproportionately affected by Internet crime, and our current laws do not protect them. As their use of the Internet increases, so do their chances of falling victim to online scams.

No regulating body monitors the reliability of what is on the Internet.

Job-seeking Americans are just as likely to have turned to the Internet during their most recent employment search as to their networks.

Job-seeking Americans are just as likely to have turned to the Internet during their most recent employment search as to their networks.

By the Numbers

  • 54% of U.S. adults have gone online to look for job information. 45% have applied for a job online.
  • Nearly 30% of Americans have used a smartphone as part of a job search, and half of those individuals used their smartphones to complete job applications.
  • Nearly 29% of students say that Google, Yahoo, and other major search engines were the most important information source for their last research assignment.
  • In a study that asked college students what the most difficult part of the research process is, more than 60% noted trouble distinguishing between relevant and non-relevant resources.