Institute of Development Studies

Influencing best practice in policy and research through information literacy

7 September 2010 

Making use of a wide range of evidence in defining and understanding issues is widely recognised as a critical step towards formulating evidence-based policy and practice. However, a lack of demand and therefore use of research knowledge by development actors to inform policy and practice in Sub-Saharan Africa inhibits this taking place in practice.

Tackling this challenge head-on, the British Library for Development Studies (BLDS) is developing an Information Capability programme in collaboration with Southern intermediaries, under the DFID-funded Mobilising Knowledge for Development (MK4D) programme. The aim is to support researchers and students to develop their information literacy skills as well as developing capacity within the intermediary sector.

What do we mean by information literacy?

We define information literacy as having the skills and ability to know what information is needed to address any given problem or issue and where to find it. Information capability assumes, in addition, a change in behaviour, i.e. an open approach to seeking information to solve real-life problems, with a particular emphasis on evaluating sources through critical thinking. In a development context, the development of information capability in development actors is intended to address the great disparity in information access and usage, and to stimulate demand for research.

Working with the University of Zambia to share experiences and approaches

Information Literacy Manager, Siobhan Duvigneau, recently returned from Zambia where she facilitated a participatory workshop on developing information literacy alongside Dr Akakandelwa, of the University of Zambia. The workshop was aimed at developing a strategic approach to information literacy in Zambia's colleges, universities and research centres.

Jointly funded by BLDS and the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP), the workshop took place on Aug 16th to 18th 2010 in Lusaka, bringing together 23 participants from eleven institutions across Zambia.

The workshop introduced information literacy concepts and approaches, standards and performance indicators, explored cultural factors which support or inhibit information literacy, and developed a broader strategy for sharing and collaborating experiences and approaches across Africa.

Embedding information literacy into the wider curriculum

Presentations given by the University of Botswana's Library Information and Research Services on their systematic and rigorous approach to information literacy demonstrated the value of having a key and influential member of staff who helps to embed information literacy in the wider curriculum by ensuring there is support from the university's management team and its faculty Directors.

"During the presentations, I learned that to successfully implement information literacy, one needs to understand the organisational structure of an institution. By understanding the structure, one is able to strategically lobby and engage offices and officers in an influential position in the development and implementation of Information Literacy Programmes". Workshop participant on the importance of a strategic approach

Improving information literacy more widely in sub-Saharan Africa

Moving forward and looking beyond the Workshop, participants will focus on how best to share their learning to improve information literacy more widely in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Workshop identified several possibilities, including: 

• collaboration on the development of enabling technology 
• resource-sharing across different institutions 
• developing information channels for communicating progress 
• developing a community of practice to support the needs of the group.

"The adoption of a mobile phone model into the information literacy system of institutions would go a long way to alleviating the current problems of information gaps in the network between librarians and researchers"
Workshop participant on the need to embrace information enabling technology

This workshop was part of a wider programme of activities that BLDS is engaged in to stimulate demand for research knowledge. Learning from the programme will be shared at a parallel event at SCECSAL, the Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Library and Information Associations, on December 5th.

For more information, please contact Siobhan Duvigneau on s.duvigneau@ids.ac.uk.

Image credit: Siobhan Duvigneau