Collaborative Information Literacy by Government

Abstract

Information literate governments are able to utilize information widely and effectively. Governments based on democratic principles share ‘empowering information’ with the citizens via upto-date services and publications. Comprehensive literacy by government covers information retrieval, assessment, interpreting, organizing, producing, distributing and sharing processes and skills. Information literacy by government can be assessed by asking: How do governments read their environment? How accessible, usable and readable are government information assets? In Finland governmental information is widely available. Various information professionals offer information services also for decision-making. However, there is a lot to be done. The new tasks emphasize the usability and architecture of information and the sharing of knowledge concerning information. The aim of Collaborative Information Literacy is to change the role of the information professionals.