Information literacy skills among the postgraduate students at Aligarh Muslim University, India
Background information Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is a prestigious, premier Central University in India which is located in Aligarh city. It was set up by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as 'Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College' in 1875. After that it became Aligarh Muslim University in 1920. It attracts students from various corners of the country as well as foreign countries. It has 12 Faculties e.g. Agricultural Sciences, Arts, Commerce, Engineering Technology, Law, Life Sciences, Medicine, Management Studies Research, Science, Social Sciences, Theology, Unani Medicine, each consisting of several Departments of Studies (Office of the Controller of Examination, 2014) It has great respect in the academic field. It provides several ICT facilities e.g. computer lab for each department, Wi Fi facilities in every hostel and department so that the students can get a lot of benefit from them. At AMU, every department has a separate seminar library which is special for particular subject wise collections. Besides AMU has Asia's second largest academic library which is named Maulana Azad Library (MAL) the central library of AMU. MLA library operates all the seminar libraries of each department. The library has a large number of collections e.g. 18, 00,000 documents, including books, periodicals, newspapers, theses, dissertations, reports, pamphlets, manuscripts, paintings, photographs, CDs, microfilms, databases, e books, talking books, etc. and it is fully automated with LibSys 7.0 software which connects almost all 9,500 computers within the University as well as the centers in the distant states such as Murshidabad campus, Mallapuram campus and Kishanganj campus. The 3M security system and three dozen CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure safety for the library materials (http:/www.amu.ac.in/amulib) MAL library is fully air conditioned. It has courses wise separate reading rooms having facilities of high speed Internet connection which makes the students feel comfortable to use the library at the best possible manner. However, the present study focuses on the need and purpose of the 'information literacy' in the modern era of technologies. With the help of this study, the investigators make an effort to investigate the awareness, knowledge, use of different search techniques and usefulness of the social networking sites for the development of information literacy among the PG students of Aligarh Muslim University. The findings of this study will serve as a great help for the coming generations to improve their information literacy skill. Information literacy skill means possessing knowledge as to which type of information is required, what type of resources are available for that information, have the knowledge how to find the information and how to communicate the findings with others. Australian and New Zealand information literacy framework (2004) state that "Information literacy is an intellectual framework for recognising the need for understanding, finding, evaluating, and using information. These are activities which may be supported in part by fluency with information technology, in part by sound investigative methods, but most importantly through critical discernment and reasoning. IL initiates, sustains, and extends lifelong learning through abilities that may use technologies but are ultimately independent of them" According to American Library Association (2000) the Information Literacy objectives are identified as follows: Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning. It is common to all disciplines, to all learning environments, and to all levels of education. It enables learners to master content and extend their investigations, become more self directed, and assume greater control over their own learning. An information literate individual is able to. To determine the extent of information needed To provide access the needed information effectively and efficiently To evaluate information and its sources critically To incorporate selected information into one's knowledge base Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally.