Information literacy and the role of national library and information associations

Abstract

PurposeTo investigate the role of national library associations both in promoting information literacy and in advancing the interests of the practitioner library and information worker.Design/methodology/approachAn opinion piece based on information literacy practice world‐wide and recent debate on the role of national association and professional organisations in the UK.FindingsThe dynamic role of associations for the library and information profession in a variety of countries world‐wide gives an indication of how the profession should use its own national association.Research limitations/implicationsThis is purely an expression of opinion about the value of the relationship between national associations for the library and information profession and the promotion of information literacy.Practical implicationsGives some insight into how a national professional association is uniquely positioned to support professional status and encourage job opportunities by forward‐looking policy formulation and cross‐sectoral leadership, in particular in the area of information literacy.Originality/valueAn attempt to validate at practitioner level the impact and importance of a national association by reference to real practice‐based examples and demonstrably successful international models.