Becoming information literate in The Netherlands

This article starts by setting a general context for the importance of being information literate. After this, the specific pattern of use for information literacy in The Netherlands is defined. Governments, as one of the agents promoting information literacy, have a special position in this, because they establish targets and create the infrastructure for education. Over the ages these targets have evolved from reading, writing and arithmetic to a wider variety of literacies. Since the 1960s, ICT has influenced both the content and conduct of education. These developments are described at all three levels of education. Finally, a number of organisations relevant to information literacy are mentioned.