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Role of Information Literacy during COVID19 Pandemic

Dr. Rajesh Kumar is a Senior Librarian. He served as the editor of Gyankosh: The Journal of Library and
Information Management. He also worked as Associate Editor of Pranjana: The Journal of Management
Awareness & Vidhigya: The Journal of Legal Awareness. He is also the Managing Editor of INMANTEC
Publishing, INMANTEC Institutions.

If we talk about Literacy, we have to talk about how to enhance our Children’s mastery over the tools
needed to live intelligent, Creative and Involved lives.

 Danny Glover

Mr. Paul G Zurkowski first used the phrase “Information literacy” in 1974. He used the phrase to describe
the “techniques and skills” for utilizing the variety of Information tools as well as primary sources in
molding information solutions to their problems and drew a relatively firm line between the "literates"
and "information illiterates". The ability to find, assess, sort, use, and communicate information in all its
various formats, most notably in situations requiring decision making, problem solving, or the acquisition
of knowledge is known as information literacy. Information literacy is a combination of research skills,
critical thinking skills, computer technology skills, and communication skills. Information literacy is
essential for academic success, effective functioning in the workplace, and participation in society as
knowledgeable citizens.

The Corona virus Pandemic has affected all aspects of human life. People from all across the world have
been fighting with this contagious disease for almost 11 months. Its epicenter was Wuhan City, China
where the first official death was reported back in December 2019. Due to the unavailability of a vaccine
for the Virus it is not completely controllable. Several countries and their governments and organizations
are claiming to have done first and second round of vaccine trial. But they are still working on it because
the virus and its nature. During the COVID-19 pandemic, information outbreak is enormous; it is the time
to remind the society of the importance of libraries and the role of librarians in organizing and
dissemination of information. Right information is the key to handle the chaotic situation. Exchange of
false information seems to be on the rise. It has created a situation of ‘infodemic’ as stated by the Director-
General of the World Health Organization (WHO). This has affected research work and also created chaos
in the society. Baseless rumors are being forwarded on Social media groups which further increases the
tension. Professor Kristine De Valck from HEC Paris has been studying the role of social networks in
Marketplace and found that companies use social media for commercial purpose and communal purpose.
He advised that whatever information you get from the Social media, crosscheck them with at least two
others source including Government Websites as well as a reliable news outlets. During a pandemic about

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