Further to Ian McCracken’s comments in his article last week, I would add that the Scottish Library and Information Council believes that school librarians can make a significant contribution to the development of information literacy.
The development of transferable information skills to support pupils through school, further and higher education and beyond into the world of work needs a consistent and cohesive approach, so these important lifeskills become embedded.
SLIC and partners have funded the development of an online information handling skills course for young adults and members of the general public for use in a variety of circumstances.
The course is widely available through public and school libraries in Scotland and learndirect scotland centres. The course has been accredited as a full module at Intermediate Level 2 (Standard grade or GCSE equivalent) by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
The big question is why there is not more evidence of progress when so much good work is being carried out by school librarians? I believe that the answer lies in the failure to recognise information skills as a core skill and the lack of an appropriate qualification for use within the curriculum.
Rhona Arthur Assistant director, Scottish Library and Information Council
