Information literacy in the context of public library business services in the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

Efforts to extend Information literacy (IL) to the business workplace is not well explored. The research aims to understand how Public Librarians working in business services in the Republic of Ireland perceive IL. The method chosen was an online questionnaire of structured open and closed questions distributed using an online survey tool. 30 public libraries representing all local authorities were included. The findings show that the librarians related business IL to their own workplace. Their perceptions of the general meaning and benefit of IL to library users is in keeping with literature. Support is required however from strategic and local library leadership and from professional librarian bodies if Public Librarians are to increase their advocacy for IL in business. The study builds on existing literature and provides some new perspectives on IL frameworks and on IL in Ireland.