The fourth of the eight Critical Outcomes contained in the outcomes-based Revised National Curriculum Statement requires that learners will be able to "collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information". This critical outcome, also termed Information Literacy, underpins resource-based learning which, inter alia, involves active interaction by learners with many learning resources.

For outcomes-based learning to take place successfully, it is essential that a wide range of library resource material, in addition to textbooks and readers, should be available daily for use by learners. Access to a range of learning support materials facilitates the development of information literacy skills which empower learners to

• interpret information so as to create new, individualised knowledge;

• detect bias, inaccurate and insufficient information;

• make considered decisions based on analysis and evaluation of relevant information; and

• think in a multifaceted way.

Library resource material includes:

• reference works (encyclopaedias, atlases, dictionaries, etc.)

• non-fiction works (information or fact books)

• fiction works (novels, short stories, fables, legends, picture books, etc.)

• posters and pamphlets

• magazines and newspapers

• pre-recorded videos, audiocassettes and CD-ROMS

• multimedia packages

R140 per learner in the primary school grades

R220 per learner in the secondary school grades