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11/08/2006

On calling the "kettle black" ... opps I mean "literacy illiterate"

Stephen Abram says it best as only Stephen can ...
"Why do we market one of our key products and competencies under the term 'information literacy'. Is it great marketing to make your customers admit to to being illiterate in order to buy into your service? Are Beauty Salons called Ugly Repair Rooms? Is perfume called stink remover and marketed to smelly folks who must admit that in the first step of a 12 step program? Are we founding Library Illiterates Anonymous without the anonymous? So let's remember that amongst us chickens, the professionals who know the deep stuff, we can call it information literacy but for others let's find other words that meet our goals better. Let's find better marketing hooks to lure in the great unwashed information user."

I agree, keep it fun!! And I'm especially intrigued by Pimp Your Research Skills. Hmmm... I wonder, do I need to wear 4 inch heels to deliver this training? If so, I'll definitely need some good "research bling." :)

Read the full text, Information Fluency

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1 comment:

T.Tallent said...

Ah, yes...the power (or idiocy) of words. What a great quote from Abrams, Helene. I often think that we use the word "literacy" to sound as if we are adept in edu-speak. For instance: "We want to improve the literacy skills of children." Why not just say "reading skills?!" Use langauge that is, well, used! Euphemisms, jargon, and edu-speak only help distance the community we are attempting to reach.
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