The Intersection of Public Policy and Public Access: Digital Divides, Digital Literacy, Digital Inclusion, and Public Libraries

2012 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul T. Jaeger ◽  
John Carlo Bertot ◽  
Kim M. Thompson ◽  
Sarah M. Katz ◽  
Elizabeth J. DeCoster
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Digital Divides

scholarly journals Powering digital communities: How Public Libraries Can Foster Digital Inclusion and Digital Literacy in Ontario

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Panzarella
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Digital Economy ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Digital Communities ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
The People

In the digital age, many aspects of life increasingly rely on the use of technology. In response to this shift toward digitization, it is important to ensure that the people of Ontario not only have adequate access to digital tools, but also the skills to operate such equipment. However, several segments of Ontario’s population, including seniors, low-income individuals, and those living in rural communities, face greater barriers to meaningful participation in the digital economy because of a lack of exposure to digital tools and digital literacy. Numerous institutions and community organizations in the province, including public libraries, are working to bridge the gap in terms of skills and access. As institutions that connect patrons to technologies and digital literacy programs taught by trained literacy professionals, libraries are a crucial resource for fostering a digitally inclusive environment that prepares Ontarians with the skills required to partake in the digital economy.

Information Policies

2017 ◽  
pp. 2262-2274
Author(s):  
Maria Teresa Fernández-Bajón
Keyword(s):  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Web Content ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Digital Divides ◽  
Eu Policies ◽  
Accessibility Guidelines ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Inclusive Society ◽  
Content Accessibility

EU policies for digital inclusion outline strategies and action plans based around the implementation of a digitally inclusive society in its member countries. The governing principles of these policies are based on the concept of a knowledge society for everyone, with no place for digital divides that might threaten cohesion and prosperity in Europe and, as such, these policies must encourage greater use of the Internet, increase broadband coverage, promote digital literacy and uphold the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. In 2010, the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Regions Committee, publishes the Digital Agenda for Europe, (2010). A key document that outlines the European policy for ICTs and establishes the priorities of the EU in this area until 2020. The purpose of the Agenda is to outline a space that allows maximization of the economic and social potential of ICTs and specifically Internet as an essential support of society.

Information Policies

2016 ◽  
pp. 275-286
Author(s):  
Maria Teresa Fernández-Bajón
Keyword(s):  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Web Content ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Digital Divides ◽  
Eu Policies ◽  
Accessibility Guidelines ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Inclusive Society ◽  
Content Accessibility

EU policies for digital inclusion outline strategies and action plans based around the implementation of a digitally inclusive society in its member countries. The governing principles of these policies are based on the concept of a knowledge society for everyone, with no place for digital divides that might threaten cohesion and prosperity in Europe and, as such, these policies must encourage greater use of the Internet, increase broadband coverage, promote digital literacy and uphold the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. In 2010, the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Regions Committee, publishes the Digital Agenda for Europe, (2010). A key document that outlines the European policy for ICTs and establishes the priorities of the EU in this area until 2020. The purpose of the Agenda is to outline a space that allows maximization of the economic and social potential of ICTs and specifically Internet as an essential support of society.

A comparative study of public libraries’ contribution to digital inclusion in Korea and the United States

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Younghee Noh
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Related Services ◽  
The Public ◽  
Systems Perspective

This research was designed to measure the level of contribution public libraries in Korea have made to digital inclusion in their communities. To that end, the study compared the degree of contribution to digital inclusion by Korean libraries with that by US libraries. Specifically, the following domains of digital inclusion were assessed: (1) information technologies and infrastructures that can be utilized by the users, as well as (2) digital literacy campaigns and programs that promoted digital integration (helping people to use technologies and library programs and know about other resources and events provided by libraries). Public libraries in Korea were surveyed using a questionnaire developed by the Institute of Museum and Library Service in the United States – FY2011 Public Library Survey, revised for the Korean context. From a systems perspective, Korean public library computers and Internet infrastructure surpassed those of their counterparts in the United States in terms of quality but the diversity of technologies, equipment, and technology-related services and the proportion of technology-related services provided were higher in the United States. In terms of educational content, libraries in both countries informed the public about diverse subjects but US libraries offered more, and more diverse, services than Korean. Library staff were responsible for running programs in the United States, whereas these were provided through collaboration with external organizations in Korea.

scholarly journals Public Access Technologies in Public Libraries: Effects and Implications

2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Carlo Bertot
Keyword(s):  
World Wide Web ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Access Technology ◽  
Initial Development ◽  
Early Adopters ◽  
The World ◽  
Computer Services

<span>Public libraries were early adopters of Internet-based technologies and have provided public access to the Internet and computers since the early 1990s. The landscape of public-access Internet and computing was substantially different in the 1990s as the World Wide Web was only in its initial development. At that time, public libraries essentially experimented with publicaccess Internet and computer services, largely absorbing this service into existing service and resource provision without substantial consideration of the management, facilities, staffing, and other implications of public-access technology (PAT) services and resources. This article explores the implications for public libraries of the provision of PAT and seeks to look further to review issues and practices associated with PAT provision resources. While much research focuses on the amount of public access that </span><span>public libraries provide, little offers a view of the effect of public access on libraries. This article provides insights into some of the costs, issues, and challenges associated with public access and concludes with recommendations that require continued exploration.</span>

Outcomes‐based measurement of public access computing in public libraries

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristine Pabērza ◽  
Ugne Rutkauskiene
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Access

scholarly journals Assessing Sufficiency and Quality of Bandwidth for Public Libraries

2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Carlo Bertot ◽  
Charles R. McClure
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
The Public ◽  
Internet Study ◽  
Telecommunications Services ◽  
Access Services ◽  
Networked Services

Based on data collected as part of the 2006 Public Libraries and the Internet study, the authors assess the degree to which public libraries provide sufficient and quality bandwidth to support the library’s networked services and resources. The topic is complex due to the arbitrary assignment of a number of kilobytes per second (kbps) used to define bandwidth. Such arbitrary definitions to describe bandwidth sufficiency and quality are not useful. Public libraries are indeed connected to the Internet and do provide public-access services and resources. It is, however, time to move beyond connectivity type and speed questions and consider issues of bandwidth sufficiency, quality, and the range of networked services that should be available to the public from public libraries. A secondary, but important issue is the extent to which libraries, particularly in rural areas, have access to broadband telecommunications services.

scholarly journals Exhibition Development in Auckland Libraries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Timothy Mark Greenslade
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Exhibition Design ◽  
Design Principles ◽  
Special Collections ◽  
Physical Layout ◽  
Selection Of

<p>Throughout New Zealand’s public library sector, librarians, particularly those responsible for special collections, maintain and create exhibitions. They aim to reflect the depth and richness of our history, cultural heritage and society. Due to the immeasurable value of cultural heritage, it needs to be presented effectively, not only for aesthetic and preservation purposes, but also for the betterment of society. Therefore the objective of this study is to explore how exhibition principles are being applied to exhibition development and presentation in Auckland Libraries. This study will not only focus on the principles behind physical layout of the exhibitions, and selection of objects on display, it will also attempt to place exhibition design into a wider context. It will do this by exploring how library exhibitions reflect public policy, and how exhibition designers perceive their social and cultural responsibilities as representatives of public libraries. Herein lies the value of the proposed study; it will allow better informed practices by exploring the use of exhibition design principles, and the application of public policy in public.</p>

scholarly journals The Effects of Covid-19 on the Digital Literacy of the Elderly: Norms for Digital Inclusion

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia I. Martínez-Alcalá ◽  
Alejandra Rosales-Lagarde ◽  
Yonal M. Pérez-Pérez ◽  
Jose S. Lopez-Noguerola ◽  
María L. Bautista-Díaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Group 2

The current sanitary crisis due to COVID-19 has further evidenced the enormous digital exclusion of older adults. Furthermore, the crisis has urged older adults to adopt new technologies to facilitate their tasks, as well as to provide them with an effective means against loneliness and social isolation caused by the confinement. In light of this, Digital Literacy is necessary for all those excluded from the digital era, who are characterized mainly by little or no ability to effectively use technologies. Nevertheless, detailed studies showing the leap from mixed (Blended Learning, BL) to digital literacy in the elderly have not been published. The objective of the present research was to analyze the level of Digital Literacy with the Digital Literacy Evaluation (DILE) of two groups of elderly adults with different levels of literacy (Group 1: G1, and Group 2: G2) during three stages: BL (Aug–Dec 2019); Transition (Feb–Jun 2020); and Digital (Aug–Dec 2020). Comparisons were made before each educational level (pre-pre-pre) and after each educational level (post-post-post) and during consecutive periods before and after each semester (pre vs post) and throughout different educational levels (G1: Basic 1, B1; Basic 2, B2; and intermediate 1, I1; and G2: Intermediate 1 to 3, I1, I2, and I3). Subsequently, considering all the elderly who had passed at least one of the literacy levels, we worked with a total sample of 176 older adults. The comparisons showed that, before the pandemic, G1’s pre digital literacy levels increased between B1 and B2 and that the differences continued with that increasing trend between the B1 level and the I1 completely digital treatment, and the same was observed for post measurements. On the other hand, for the G2, the differences in the DILE were statistically significant between the pre-condition of I2 (before the pandemic) and the I3 (completely digital treatment); and between the pre-conditions of I1 and I3; the same results were obtained for post treatments. Also, pre vs post scores on the DILE were statistically significant and older adults increased progressively their digital literacy despite the COVID-19 pandemic and jumped to the digital age.

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