What do we mean by "information literacy"?

With the job title "Coordinator for Information Literacy Services and Instruction" in the University Library (it being my other title besides Head of the Undergraduate Library), it might appear that there is some sort of "universal" perspective within the library community as to what information literacy is and what it means to coordinate it. I'd like to suggest that there isn't, though this isn't obvious if one just looks at the literature or web postings, and that the library profession is somewhat reticent to engage in critical examination of the term and our practice (why I think this is the case will probably need to wait for a future post but hopefully readers will indulge my assertion for now).

I usually have to explain the job title and find myself saying things like "my job is to coordinate the Library's educational programming" or "my area of responsibility is the connection between the Library and the curriculum" or "between the Library and learning." But .... I've never really asked what someone who isn't a librarian thinks the job title means - or even what my more informal explanations means. Upon reflection, engaging in conversation about this is probably worthwhile if information literacy services are going to have the impact on student learning that I would hope to see at UIUC. I know my own views are not necessarily well-reflected in the writings by librarians on the topic and I've recently had experiences that make me think others may be ascribing perspectives to me that are not my own because of the job title. How to engage the conversation though is a tricky sticking point.... hopefully this blog discussion can be part of the engagement process.