Information Literacy: A Key For Getting In Knowledge Society

Progress generates an unprecedented upheaval in all fields. The acquisition of information and knowledge by citizens gives new dimensions to learning and development. Technology has disseminated a variety of products that enable people to have access to information and knowledge rapidly and efficiently in a moving society. Information resources are available in a variety of shapes. Citizens who know how to use and exploit these resources will succeed in acquiring information literacy. Those who possess this culture will feel richer and more powerful. They may integrate this new complex society without difficulties. They cannot be excluded from this modern moving environment. These elements push us to ask several questions: - Do all people master the techniques of information search? - Do they know how to use the new products of technology that permit the access to information and knowledge? - Do they possess information literacy which has become pre-requisite in this new moving digital society? These interrogations emphasize the problem faced, on the one hand, by a lot of people who live in developing countries and, on the other hand, by some people who live in developed countries. Throughout our study, we will give a definition of the concept of information literacy and will attempt to highlight the characteristics of the new knowledge society and the difficulties to integrate it. We will explain why do people feel anxious about their future social and professional status. We will underline how can people succeed in acquiring information literacy. We will clarify the government’s strategy that should be established to help the citizens to acquire this useful culture. A survey is led at the University of Constantine with students specializing in social and human sciences. We have adopted the descriptive approach that has helped us to portray the situation and analyze the collected data.