The New Jersey State Library has announced a collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, and LibraryLinkNJ. This partnership aims to prepare K-12 public schools and libraries in New Jersey for the upcoming information literacy standards.
In January 2023, New Jersey became the first state to mandate information literacy education in public schools. In preparation for these standards, the State Library and its partners have started developing models and tools for information literacy education, as well as support resources for educators and librarians.
Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the importance of this initiative by stating, "With the constant spread of misinformation, it is more important now than ever for our children to build a strong foundation of information literacy skills." He added that providing students with these skills will help them become critical thinkers who can differentiate between fact and fiction.
The Reimagining Information Literacy initiative by the State Library aims to assist certified school library media specialists, public librarians, academic librarians, and teachers across New Jersey. The goal is to support students in learning about information literacy. According to state law, information literacy encompasses skills that enable individuals to recognize when they need information and how to locate, evaluate, and use it effectively. It includes digital, visual, media, textual, and technological literacy.
Acting Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer highlighted the importance of equipping students with these skills due to their constant exposure to digital media. He stated that "the Department of Education is fully committed to supporting our educators and students in this vital initiative."
The State Library plans to create online training modules, professional development resources, classroom curriculum materials, and other supports for schools and libraries in New Jersey.
Jen Nelson from the New Jersey State Library remarked on the significance of information literacy: "Information literacy is a cornerstone of libraries." She noted that effective evaluation and use of information are crucial in today's age dominated by artificial intelligence tools.
This project receives partial funding through $748,588 provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services—an independent federal agency offering grants for libraries and museums along with policy development support.
