GIS Librarians' Involvement in Critical Information Literacy Instruction

Critical information literacy (CIL) is a theory and practice that considers the sociopolitical dimensions of information and knowledge production. As the field of geospatial information evolves, equipping librarians with the skills to critically engage with geospatial information becomes integral to facilitating informed research, promoting spatial literacy, and strengthening the accessibility of geospatial data for their user communities. To understand geospatial data librarians’ current involvement in CIL, librarians were surveyed to examine if they incorporate CIL into their instruction, how they incorporate CIL into their instruction, and what are the benefits and challenges of doing so. The survey gathered both quantitative and qualitative data. Forty-five responses were analyzed and 26 (57.8%) indicated that they incorporated CIL into their geospatial instruction. Respondents highlighted the use of critical thinking exercises, discussions of bias and representation in maps, and exploration of the social and political implications of geospatial data. While respondents indicated the benefits of incorporating CIL are significant, challenges included limited time and resources, resistance from users, and the need for ongoing professional development.