Introduction to Information Literacy Key Takeaways

1. Information literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively.

Information literacy goes beyond looking things up on Google—it involves understanding how information is created, valued, and applied across academic, personal, and professional contexts.

2. Effective research requires strategic searching and critical evaluation.

Know how to choose appropriate tools (like library databases), use strong search strategies, and assess sources for authority, accuracy, currency, purpose, bias, and relevance before trusting or using them.

3. Using information responsibly means integrating it ethically and applying it to real‑world problem‑solving.

Summarize or quote sources appropriately, cite correctly, recognize the influence of bias (including in AI‑generated content), and use information to make informed decisions in everyday situations.