Book: Information Literacy and Cultural Heritage

Reviews

Journal of Information Literacy (UK)

Australian Library Journal

National Library and Information Services, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas

South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science

 

About the book:

Information Literacy and Cultural Heritage: Developing a model for lifelong learning

Kim Baker, Cape Town, South Africa

– covers cultural heritage in the museums, archives and library context
– explores the place of cultural heritage and social issues in the digital information context
– reviews existing models of information literacy processes, standards and indicators
– overviews critical thinking and lifelong learning
– proposes a generic Model of Information Literacy and Cultural Heritage for Lifelong learning
– provides guidelines for research methodologies to adapt the Model to local contexts

There is a complex and contested terrain of cultural heritage in the library, archive and museum context. Information Literacy and Cultural Heritage explores this landscape and covers perspectives from museums, archives and libraries, highlighting the role of memory and contested history in the collection, description and presentation of cultural heritage. The book argues that the convergence of libraries, archives and museums in digital preservation should be extended to include the development of combined lifelong learning programmes, teaching both information literacy skills and awareness of cultural heritage.

This title is structured into seven chapters, covering cultural heritage in the library, archive and museum context; digital information contexts; an overview of information literacy models of stages and processes, as well as models of standards, competencies and performance indicators. The book then examines the role of critical thinking and lifelong learning; proposes a generic model of information literacy and cultural heritage for lifelong learning; offers guidelines for adapting the model to local contexts; and offers a conclusion.

Readership: Librarians; archivists; museum scientists; and practitioners in public and international cultural heritage institutions.

ISBN 1 84334 720 2
ISBN-13: 978 1 84334 720 0
March 2013
226 pages  234 x 156mm  paperback

Contents

Exploring cultural heritage in the context of museums, archives and libraries
– Definitions and concepts
– The role of memory and contested history in cultural heritage
– Perspectives from museums
– Perspectives from archives
– Perspectives from libraries
– Concluding comments

Cultural heritage within digital information contexts
– Overview of the contexts of digital information
– The digital divide and moral rights to cultural heritage
– Social responses in the digital world
– Concluding comments

Overview of information literacy models in the library context
– Definitions and concepts
– Models of information literacy stages and processes
– Models of information literacy standards, competencies and performance indicators
– Concluding comments

Critical thinking and lifelong learning
– The role of critical thinking and lifelong learning
– Critical thinking skills and cultural sensitivities
– Lifelong learning and learning styles
– Concluding comments

Information literacy and cultural heritage: a proposed generic model for lifelong learning
– Summary of key factors in the development of the model
– A generic model of information literacy and cultural heritage for lifelong learning
– Concluding comments

Guidelines for adapting the generic Information Literacy and Cultural Heritage Model for Lifelong Learning to local contexts
– Suggested methodology and research design for adapting the model to local contexts
– Factors to consider in adapting the model
– Applying the model: designing training courses based on the model
– Reviewing, evaluating and revising the model and training courses
– Concluding comments

Conclusion: summary observations and a way forward

Appendix 1: Sample survey of patrons of museums, archives and libraries

Appendix 2: Sample interview schedule, June–July 2013