Hi`ilei Media Center

The following is an article about Information Literacy Standards for the 21st-Century Learner developed by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).

AASL Standards for the 21st-Century Learner

“Standards for the 21st-Century Learner” offer vision for teaching and learning to both guide and beckon our profession as education leaders. They will both shape the library program and serve as a tool for library media specialists to use to shape the learning of students in the school.

Common Beliefs

The learning standards begin by defining nine foundational common beliefs:

1. Reading is a window to the world.
2. Inquiry provides a framework for learning.
3. Ethical behavior in the use of information must be taught.
4. Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs.
5. Equitable access is a key component for education.
6. The definition of information literacy has become more complex as resources and technologies have changed.
7. The continuing expansion of information demands that all individuals acquire the thinking skills that will enable them to learn on their own.
8. Learning has a social context.
9. School libraries are essential to the development of learning skills.

The Standards

The Standards describe how learners use skills, resources, and tools to (1) inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge; (2) draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge; (3) share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society; (4) pursue personal and aesthetic growth.

You may download the following PDF of the AASL Learning Standards by clicking here:

Click here for a pamphlet of the AASL 21st Learning Standards