the UM's Information Literacy Framework
A new tool for better information management
On September 23, the Committee on Education and University Life (CFVU) unanimously adopted the University of Montreal’s Information Literacy Framework. This document now serves as a common framework for faculty, librarians, and students to better define what it means to “navigate information” at the university and to use it effectively.
Developed by the Joint Documentation Service and subsequently refined through several months of consultation with all academic departments, this framework is intended to serve as a key tool for designing academic programs. It can be used when preparing future program proposals, in line with the institution’s strategic priorities for the upcoming accreditation cycle.
Clarifying information literacy in a changing context
Information literacy encompasses all the skills needed to search for, select, understand, analyze, and reuse information, whether scientific, professional, or general knowledge. In a world characterized by an overabundance of data and the transformations brought about by digital tools and artificial intelligence, these skills have become essential.
In particular, they allow you to:
- clearly state a need for information;
- access relevant resources more effectively;
- question and evaluate the reliability of sources;
- reuse information in an ethical, responsible, and lawful manner;
- develop critical thinking skills, which are essential for producing and disseminating high-quality work.
Closely linked to subject-specific instruction, they also complement digital, writing, and communication skills, thereby enhancing their coherence and impact.
A tool for the entire academic community
This guide is intended for all stakeholders in the field of education:
- To teachers, to help them structure, enrich, or enhance their training programs using a competency-based approach;
- To librarians, who play a key role in the acquisition and development of these skills;
- To students, who will find here a clear guide to help them succeed in their studies, prepare for their transition into the workforce, and become more independent and informed citizens.
A shared, accessible, and adaptable resource, this framework represents a significant step forward in supporting the quality of learning and fostering an ever-greater mastery of information within the university.