A New Face to Information Literacy (REVISED)

Without the use of technology in our library systems, research, studying, and obtaining information would be very different.  In today’s modern library, the use of technology is inevitable, and in many ways, has made the library easy to use.  In our class presentation, Mr. Conley showed us the different ways that technology has transformed the face of information literacy.

                Technology has completely altered the process of information literacy.  Information literacy is the process of being able to look at available literacy, decide what is useful, and recognize how to use the information.  Years ago, libraries used to be restricted only to what was available in their building.  Now however, information literacy allows exposure to many different types of articles, books, and information from all around the world.  Libraries now use computers to access to the internet to view these resources.  This sort of technology allows all of the information to be stored in one place.  Mr. Conley explained to us that information literacy includes online catalogs and unlimited resources such as Journal Finder and Cyril.  This way, users are not limited to a small scope of materials.  Also, not only does the internet provide for a large variety of information, but search engines allow for a much quicker and easier search for this material.  He explained that in these catalogs, all of the article’s information is given on one page and in one place for the purpose of bibliographies and works cited pages.  He also showed us that by using Connect New York, a website that is designed to allow the sharing of books between every library in New York, students are now able to look at a book, even if it is shipped from across the state.  In these many ways, technology has modernized libraries and allowed for simplified research.

                Without technology, information literacy and the use of the library would be very different.  In his presentation, Mr. Conley showed us that this technology is used in ways to transform the concept of information literacy by organizing the resources, widening the variety of material, and allowing for easier use and access to this information.  Technology has expanded the horizons for information literacy, and allowed for endless possibilities regarding research and information.