Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information."

Information literacy is related to information technology skills, but has broader implications for the individual, the educational system, and for society. Information technology skills enable an individual to use computers, software applications, databases, and other technologies to achieve a wide variety of academic, work-related, and personal goals.

Information literacy, while showing significant overlap with information technology skills, is a distinct and broader area of competence. Increasingly, information technology skills are interwoven with, and support, information literacy.

IT literacy + information literacy = eLiteracy

Information literacy as a subject of study includes:

Models of information literacy
Models of information behaviour (different approaches to searching, browsing, interpersonal communication etc.)
Characteristics and types of information sources;
Search formulation and strategy, and Information Retrieval
Information economy & society: issues of information ownership and transfer, censorship, presentation/publication of information, ethics in the use of information etc.
Critical thinking, including critical thinking in relation to information sources and services