1.1 Introduction
The term Information literacy is synonymous to user education and orientation in the use of libraries. Information literacy has been expanded to deal with the needs by the concept such as information over load brought about by the speedy growth in digital technologies, and the desire of the information society for competent information patrons, and as well as meet with the prerequisites of the knowledge economy for a sensitive and well-versed labour force amongst medical practitioners (Andretta, 2005).
Information literacy is the capability of individuals to locate and critically evaluate information. It is also the ability to make effective use of information in decision making and knowledge creation (Webber et al., 2003). The library is the heart of any academic institution as it helps to provide, inform and educate the students through books, journals, audio visual materials and services. Higher institutions all over the world place high emphasis on qualitative and quantitative research products to fulfill their mission of teaching, learning, research and cultural development. The measure of value placed on any institution is determined by the access to right information and level of information literacy of the students and faculties which automatically affect the research output of that institution. In Creswell (2008), researches do not only help to solve practical problems and bring about material improvements, it also provides insights into new ideas that improve human understanding of various social, economic and cultural phenomena. Research has always been the main approach to solving problems by all categories of professional (Boaduo et al., 2007).
University libraries are set up to provide the necessary and important information required for students, faculty and staff of the parent institution, and others within the institution community. Oyewusi and Oyebade, (2009) Stated that the key reason for establishing university libraries is to uphold the teaching, learning, and research in a manner reliable with, and helpful of, the institution's mission and goals. Moreover, the library resources and services should be satisfactory in worth, depth, variety, and up to date to support the institution's curriculum. Iyanda and Salawu (2006) defined the library as an educational and self-improvement place that functions as a vital component of a university or a school. Adeoye and Popoola (2011) stated that libraries make available information resources that offer knowledge attainment, for leisure, for individual interest and lastly for inter-personal relations for every group of clientele; however in an academic environment, attention is placed basically on academic, non-academic staff, students and researchers.
The concept of Information Communication Technology, this refers to the competence which is required for the utilization of ICT for retrieval and dissemination of information. The information resources concept, this is the competence required to locate and make use of information by one’s self or by means of the help of intermediaries, lastly,, the information process concept of information literacy, this means the process of knowing the need for information, getting information, assessing, using and disseminating information to obtain or expand knowledge. Both the ICT and use of information sources are all included in the concept.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
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