Launched on the United Nations' International Literacy Day, the Welsh Information Literacy Project will develop a unified and progressive framework to support information literacy in schools, further and higher education, the workplace and the wider community, raising awareness of the importance of information literacy in 21^st century Wales.

The project begins with the launch of the information literacy statement for Wales, inspired by an information literacy conference held at Gregynog Hall in mid Wales in 2009, which identified the need and scope for the project.

The Welsh Information Literacy Project is based in Cardiff University's Information Services Directorate and is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government's CyMAL: Museums, Archives and Libraries Wales division. The project brings together librarians from all sectors across Wales and is working with partners from the Welsh Assembly Government and others to develop and promote an information literacy framework, mapped across the curriculum. Librarians are also exploring ways of working with the recently announced National Literacy Plan for Wales to ensure greater success. The Welsh Information Literacy Project will provide evidence of information literacy best practice via case studies, highlighting current work across all sectors.

Hywel James, Chair of the project steering group, said:  "Libraries have a great record of working together and it is good to see all the library services in Wales supporting this development which will provide a firm foundation for action. Libraries also have an impressive record of working in partnership with others and we hope that this framework will encourage others to join with us to promote the aim of helping people find and use the information they need."

The project's holistic approach, embedding information literacy training throughout education and employment will enable Wales to fully capitalise on the benefits of information literacy. These include increasing social inclusion, enhancing academic achievement, and supporting citizens' access to key knowledge.  For more information, please visit the Welsh Information Literacy Project website or contact Joy Head, Information Literacy Development Officer for Wales, at headja1[at]cardiff.ac.uk