Information Literacy Training for Postgraduate and Postdoctoral Researchers: a National Survey and its Implications

Although higher education (HE) libraries have given increasing attention to information literacy, the information literacy requirements of researchers have been relatively neglected. This paper reports on the findings of a national survey on the training of postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers in the UK, focusing on the information literacy training provided by academic libraries, in the context of generic research skills training programmes provided by HE institutions. Significant differences between librarianled and centrally provided training are highlighted as well as variation in the breadth of information literacy training provided. Key issues in training provision in this area are identified, and options for developing information literacy support for researchers are discussed.