{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,30]],"date-time":"2025-12-30T03:31:16Z","timestamp":1767065476738,"version":"3.41.2"},"reference-count":50,"publisher":"Emerald","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2010,11,23]],"date-time":"2010-11-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1290470400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/site-policies"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2010,11,23]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Purpose<\/jats:title><jats:p>This paper aims to examine barriers to information literacy (IL), including: language use, social structures, and the neutrality\u2010advocacy dilemma.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Design\/methodology\/approach<\/jats:title><jats:p>In this paper critical analysis is used to discuss: effect of language used on audience reach; cognitive <jats:italic>locus<\/jats:italic> assumptions in IL standards and oversight on structural factors; opportunities for libraries to overcome IL barriers. Arguments are substantiated with theories and research from sociology, psychology, and education.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Findings<\/jats:title><jats:p>Effective diffusion of IL depends on using common language and being relevant to learners. However, knowledge differences between librarians and the public can make finding common language challenging. Additionally, by assuming information illiteracy in people, the term may convey negative\u2010evaluation, which may negatively affect learners' sense of competence and motivation for learning, and result in ineffective learning. Extracurricular\/civic activities in schools are rich settings for effective learning, but structural factors, often overlooked by proponents of IL, constrain students' opportunities for civic participation. Fortunately, the library provides a sense of relatedness to students and has the potential to support conditions for effective learning in civic contexts.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Research limitations\/implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>Propositions have not been empirically tested in IL contexts.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Practical implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>The paper proposes ways to address barriers to information literacy and calls for empirical research.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Social implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>The paper legitimizes librarians to play advocacy roles for students' civic engagement.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Originality\/value<\/jats:title><jats:p>No literature in information literacy examines in\u2010depth the effects of its language choice and cognitive <jats:italic>locus<\/jats:italic> on audience reach. This paper integrates theories from sociology, psychology, and education, to argue how language choice and social structures constrain IL attainment and proposes ways to address those barriers.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/07378831011096222","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2010,11,27]],"date-time":"2010-11-27T07:01:50Z","timestamp":1290841310000},"page":"548-568","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":13,"title":["Information literacy barriers: language use and social structure"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"28","author":[{"given":"Peyina","family":"Lin","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]}],"member":"140","reference":[{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b1","unstructured":"American Association of School Librarians, AASL (1998), \u201cInformation literacy standards for student learning\u201d, available at: www.ala.org\/ala\/mgrps\/divs\/aasl\/aaslarchive\/pubsarchive\/informationpower\/InformationLiteracyStandards_final.pdf (accessed 3 August 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Andonlina, M.W., Jenkins, K., Zukin, C. and Keeter, S. (2003), \u201cHabits from home, lessons from school: influences on youth civic engagement\u201d, PSOnline, April, pp. 275\u201080, available at: www.apsanet.org (accessed 22 June 2010).","DOI":"10.1017\/S104909650300221X"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b3","unstructured":"Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) (2000), \u201cInformation literacy competency standards for higher education\u201d, available at: www.ala.org\/ala\/mgrps\/divs\/acrl\/standards\/informationliteracycompetency.cfm (accessed 3 August 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bawden, D. (2001), \u201cInformation and digital literacies: a review of concepts\u201d, Journal of Documentation, Vol. 57 No. 2, pp. 218\u201059.","DOI":"10.1108\/EUM0000000007083"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b5","unstructured":"Blankinship, D.G. (2010), \u201cLibraries fading as school budget crisis deepens\u201d, The Seattle Times, 24 June, available at http:\/\/seattletimes.nwsource.com\/html\/localnews\/2012196869_apuslibrarylayoffs2ndldwritethru.html?syndication=rss (accessed 26 July 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b6","unstructured":"Breivik, P. (1998), Student Learning in the Information Age, The Oryx Press, Phoenix, AZ."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b7","unstructured":"Brown, B.B. (1990), \u201cPeer groups and peer cultures\u201d, in Elliot, S.F.G.R. (Ed.), At the Threshold: The Developing Adolescent, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, pp. 171\u201096."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b8","unstructured":"Bruce, C. (1997), Seven Faces of Information Literacy, AUSLIB Press, Adelaide."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Carbo, T. (1997), \u201cMediacy: knowledge and skills to navigate the information highway\u201d, The International Information & Library Review, Vol. 29 Nos 3\u20104, pp. 393\u2010401.","DOI":"10.1080\/10572317.1997.10762447"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b10","unstructured":"Carroll, J., Howard, S., Vetere, F., Peck, J. and Murphy, J. (2002), \u201cJust what do the youth of today want? Technology appropriation by young people\u201d, Proceedings of the 35th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS'02), Vol. 5, IEEE, Hawaii, pp. 131b\u20109b."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b11","unstructured":"Discovery Education (n.d.), Test Your ILQ (Information Literacy Quotient), Quiz Center, Discovery Communications, LLC, available at: http:\/\/school.discoveryeducation.com\/quizzes10\/lynnejwebb\/AHSILQ.html (accessed 28 July 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Eisenberg, M. (2008), \u201cInformation literacy: essential skills for the information age\u201d, DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 39\u201047.","DOI":"10.14429\/djlit.28.2.166"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fredricks, J.A. and Eccles, J.S. (2005), \u201cDevelopmental benefits of extracurricular involvement: do peer characteristics mediate the link between activities and youth outcomes?\u201d, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Vol. 34 No. 6, pp. 507\u201020.","DOI":"10.1007\/s10964-005-8933-5"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Goetsch, L. and Kaufman, P. (1998), \u201cReadin', writin', arithmetic, and information competency: adding a basic skills component to a university's curriculum\u201d, Campus\u2010Wide Information Systems, Vol. 15 No. 5, pp. 158\u201063.","DOI":"10.1108\/10650749810248294"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b15","unstructured":"Guzman\u2010Lopez, A. (2010), \u201cCuts force LA public libraries to close Mondays\u201d, Southern California Public Radio, 19 July, available at: www.scpr.org\/news\/2010\/07\/19\/lapl\u2010closed\/ (accessed 27 July 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hansell, S. (1985), \u201cAdolescent friendship networks and distress in school\u201d, Social Forces, Vol. 63 No. 3, pp. 698\u2010715.","DOI":"10.2307\/2578487"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b17","unstructured":"Isaacson, D. (2003), \u201cLet's talk libraries, not information literacy\u201d, Library Journal, Vol. 128 No. 19, p. 42."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b18","unstructured":"Jennings, M.K. and Niemi, R.B. (1974), The Political Character of Adolescence, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kandel, D. (1978), \u201cHomophily, selection, and socialization in adolescent friendships\u201d, American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 84 No. 2, pp. 427\u201036.","DOI":"10.1086\/226792"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b20","unstructured":"Koontz, C.M., Jue, D.K. and Bishop, B.W. (2008), \u201cWhy public libraries close\u201d, available at: www.webjunction.org\/c\/document_library\/get_file?folderId=11041537&name=DLFE\u20102600002.pdf (accessed 26 July 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b21","unstructured":"Latham, D. and Gross, M. (2007), \u201cWhat they don't know can hurt them: competency theory, library anxiety, and student self\u2010assessments of their information literacy skills\u201d, Sailing into the Future: Charting Our Destiny, Proceedings of the 13th National Conference of the Association of College and Research Libraries, American Library Association, Baltimore, MD, pp. 277\u201086."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b22","unstructured":"Layder, D. (1994), \u201cPower, structure and agency\u201d, Power: Critical Concepts, Vol. 2, pp. 371\u201087."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Leary, M. (1983), \u201cA brief version of the fear of negative evaluation scale\u201d, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 9 No. 3, pp. 371\u20105.","DOI":"10.1177\/0146167283093007"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b24","unstructured":"Lin, P. (2010), \u201cSocial inclusion in high school: a baseline behavioral study to inform the design of pro\u2010diversity technology\u201d, Proceedings of Posters for the iConference '10, Champaign, IL, February 2\u20106, available at: http:\/\/nora.lis.uiuc.edu\/images\/iConferences\/2010posters.pdf (accessed 26 July 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b25","unstructured":"Lin, P. (n.d.), \u201cSocial networks and civic participation of high school youth: a mixed methods study\u201d, unpublished dissertation, University of Washington, Washington, DC, (forthcoming)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b26","unstructured":"London School of Economics, Centre for Civil Society (2004), \u201cWhat is a civil society?\u201d, available at: www.lse.ac.uk\/collections\/CCS\/what_is_civil_society.htm (accessed 22 June 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"McFarland, D. and Pals, H. (2005), \u201cMotives and contexts of identity change: a case for network effects\u201d, Social Psychology Quarterly, Vol. 68 No. 4, pp. 289\u2010316.","DOI":"10.1177\/019027250506800401"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"McNeal, R. (1998), \u201cHigh school extracurricular activities: closed structures and stratifying patterns of participation\u201d, The Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 91 No. 3, pp. 183\u201091.","DOI":"10.1080\/00220679809597539"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Marcum, J.W. (2002), \u201cRethinking information literacy\u201d, The Library Quarterly, Vol. 72 No. 1, pp. 1\u201026.","DOI":"10.1086\/603335"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Maslow, A.H. (1943), \u201cA theory of human motivation\u201d, Psychological Review, Vol. 50 No. 4, pp. 370\u201096.","DOI":"10.1037\/h0054346"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b29","unstructured":"Maslow, A. (1954), Motivation and Personality, Harper, New York, NY."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b32","unstructured":"Mead, M. (1970), \u201cThe art and technology of field work\u201d, in Narroll, R. and Cohen, R. (Eds), A Handbook of Method in Cultural Anthropology, Natural History Press, Garden City, NY, pp. 246\u201065."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b33","unstructured":"Morner, C.J. (1993), \u201cA test of library research skills for education doctoral students\u201d, Boston College, Boston, MA, unpublished dissertation, available at: http:\/\/proquest.umi.com\/pqdlink?did=747727751&Fmt=7&clientId=2302&RQT=309&VName=PQD (accessed 28 July 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b34","unstructured":"Neely, T. (2002), Sociological and Psychological Aspects of Information Literacy in Higher Education, Scarecrow Press, Lanham, MD."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Owusu\u2010Ansah, E.K. (2003), \u201cInformation literacy and the academic library: a critical look at a concept and the controversies surrounding it\u201d, The Journal of Academic Librarianship, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 219\u201030.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0099-1333(03)00040-5"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Owusu\u2010Ansah, E. (2005), \u201cDebating definitions of information literacy: enough is enough\u201d, Library Review, Vol. 54 No. 6, pp. 366\u201074.","DOI":"10.1108\/00242530510605494"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b37","unstructured":"Oxford English Dictionary Online (2010), Civility, 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford, available at: http:\/\/dictionary.oed.com\/cgi\/entry\/50040559?single=1&query_type=word&queryword=civility&first=1&max_to_show=10 (accessed 26 July 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pawley, C. (2003), \u201cInformation literacy: a contradictory coupling\u201d, The Library Quarterly, Vol. 73, pp. 422\u201052.","DOI":"10.1086\/603440"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b39","unstructured":"Project SAILS Standardized Assessment of Information Literacy Skills (2010), Overview, Kent State University, Kent, OH, available at: www.projectsails.org\/sails\/overview.php?page=aboutSAILS (accessed 26 July 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b40","unstructured":"Rogers, E. (2003), Diffusion of Innovations, Free Press, New York, NY."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ryan, R. and Deci, E. (2000), \u201cSelf\u2010determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well\u2010being\u201d, American Psychologist, Vol. 55 No. 1, pp. 68\u201078.","DOI":"10.1037\/0003-066X.55.1.68"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b42","unstructured":"Saracevic, T. (1992), \u201cInformation science: origin, evolution, and relations\u201d, in Vakkari, P. and Blaise, C. (Eds), Conceptions of Library and Information Science: Historical, Empirical, and Theoretical Perspectives, Taylor Graham, London, pp. 5\u201027."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b43","unstructured":"Schlenker, B. (1980), Impression Management: The Self\u2010concept, Social Identity, and Interpersonal Relations, Brooks\/Cole, Monterey, CA."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b44","unstructured":"Shapiro, J. and Hughes, S. (1996), \u201cInformation literacy as a liberal art?\u201d, EDUCOM Review, Vol. 31, pp. 31\u20105."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b45","unstructured":"Spitzer, K., Eisenberg, M. and Lowe, C. (1998), Information Literacy: Essential Skills for the Information Age Information Resources Publications, Syracuse University, New York, NY, available at: http:\/\/ericir.syr.edu\/ithome\/pubsorder.html (accessed 6 July 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b46","unstructured":"Vygotsky, L.S. (1978), \u201cChapter 6: Interaction between learning and development\u201d, in Cole, M., John\u2010Steiner, V., Scribner, S. and Souberman, E. (Eds), Mind in Society, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, pp. 79\u201091."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Webber, S. and Johnston, B. (2000), \u201cConceptions of information literacy: new perspectives and implications\u201d, Journal of Information Science, Vol. 26 No. 6, pp. 381\u201097.","DOI":"10.1177\/016555150002600602"},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b48","unstructured":"Weiner, S.A. (2010), \u201cInformation literacy: a neglected core competency\u201d, Educause Quarterly, Vol. 33 No. 1, available at: www.educause.edu\/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly\/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum\/InformationLiteracyANeglectedC\/199382 (accessed 28 July 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b49","unstructured":"Wise, S.L., Cameron, L., Yang, S. and Davis, S.L. (1990), in Russell, J. (Ed.), The Information Literacy Test (ILT) Test Manual, The Center for Assessment & Research Studies, Harrisonburg, VA, available at: www.madisonassessment.com\/uploads\/ILT%20Test%20Manual%202010.pdf (accessed 26 July 2010)."},{"key":"key2022020519453372500_b50","unstructured":"Zurkowski, P. (1974), \u201cThe information service environment: relationships and priorities\u201d, National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, Washington, DC, Related Paper No. 5, National Program for Library and Information Services, available at: www.eric.ed.gov\/ERICWebPortal\/search\/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED100391&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED100391 (accessed 20 July 2010)."}],"container-title":["Library Hi Tech"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"http:\/\/www.emeraldinsight.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1108\/07378831011096222","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/content\/doi\/10.1108\/07378831011096222\/full\/xml","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/content\/doi\/10.1108\/07378831011096222\/full\/html","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,24]],"date-time":"2025-07-24T23:33:46Z","timestamp":1753400026000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"http:\/\/www.emerald.com\/lht\/article\/28\/4\/548-568\/261727"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2010,11,23]]},"references-count":50,"journal-issue":{"issue":"4","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2010,11,23]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1108\/07378831011096222"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1108\/07378831011096222","relation":{},"ISSN":["0737-8831"],"issn-type":[{"type":"print","value":"0737-8831"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2010,11,23]]}}}