Technological Developments and Information Literacy in Albania

Abstract

The purpose of the research was the study of the current information literacy movement and practices in Albania. The first part of this paper provides background information about technological developments in Albania during the last 22 years. A brief review is given of the implementation of new technologies which have facilitated the access to huge amounts information; information is received at home and at work, in libraries or in bars. Related to the growth of digital information, Information Literacy has become, more than ever before, the country’s imperative objective. To respond to the digital environment, efforts have been done to create an information literate society. A lot of ongoing government projects have been initiated recently, focused on modernization, especially of ICT in education, public institutions and public administration. The second part of the paper traces current developments of information literacy in Albania. The concept has spread and is defined correctly mainly among librarians and information professionals but is not explicitly recognized by other communities. The process of becoming information literate has been focused mainly on computer literacy. The paper then moves on to look at the leadership role of the National Library of Albania in developing IL as a component of the lifelong learning process. As the Bologna processes are having an impact on the development of the Albanian curriculum structures, it is necessary to draw attention to the developments of IL at different levels in the national educational system.