Information and digital literacy in education via the digital path

While the role of the library has evolved to provide services from internet access to journalism programmes, countless libraries still face closure, as civic leaders fail to recognise the critical social, intellectual, cultural, and economic roles they play 

When you make the transition to university, one of the best resources that becomes available to you is the campus library system. Most universities have multiple libraries with extensive collections and generous hours of operation; the libraries at my school, the University of Waterloo, routinely stay open until midnight. Because campus libraries offer such a wealth of resources, many students aren’t motivated to explore the public libraries in their areas and may earn their entire degrees without ever setting foot in a community library. However, by not bothering to apply for a public library card, students are missing out on more than they realize. Here are just some of the reasons why you should make your local library a part of your university experience:

Sometimes, there is a big imbalance between what the users wish to have in a library and what they really get. As Mick Fortune mentions in our previous post, for many years libraries measured their success primarily by footfall and they only focused on that. Only in the last few years, libraries have really started focusing on getting to know their users better. Even so, all the studies, such as those made by The Pew Internet, Carnegie UK Trust, Museums Libraries & Archives UK, etc. end up showing the same results.

Several Twin Cities library systems are considering an “open libraries” model that would give patrons access to books, computers and other resources by themselves at times when the library isn’t open and staffed. Two west metro libraries already use the idea on a small scale.

The setup relies on technology — via a central management system — to let people enter the library, check out items and log onto computers — all while video monitors record their actions. There’s a phone connected to a central library or an on-call librarian so patrons can ask questions. Automated systems announce when the library is closing, flick the lights off and on and can even operate amenities like a gas fireplace on a schedule.

In the future 9 out of 10 jobs will require digital skills – but today 44% of Europeans (aged 16 to 74) do not have basic digital skills. Helping people develop their digital skills is both a key goal for public libraries across the EU and a Google priority.

Public Libraries 2020 (PL2020) and Google are excited to partner with and equip libraries with resources to support and train their local communities.

“Libraries Lead with Digital” is a toolkit created by librarians, for librarians, that will include online resources and lesson plans to help people stay safe online, grow their digital skills, and explore coding.

In 2017, archaeologists discovered the ruins of the oldest public library in Cologne, Germany. The building may have housed up to 20,000 scrolls, and dates back to the Roman era in the second century. When literacy was restricted to a tiny elite, this library was open to the public. Located in the centre of the city in the marketplace, it sat at the heart of public life.

In the recent past, there has been a tremendous rise in the number of people living the digital nomad lifestyle. As a result, co-working has become a draw for many budding entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote employees. This new style of workspace gives individuals, startups, small businesses, and the like the opportunity to have an office environment without high overhead or a long-term lease. Often these spaces are filled with like-minded individuals who can capitalize on the networking and collaboration opportunities that can be had as a "resident" of such a space.

In the current climate, the fight for our public services is ongoing. This is no less true for public libraries, a service that continues to see severe cuts, hollowing out, mass closures and deprof…

The need for libraries and librarians is greater now more than ever before, Hillary Rodham Clinton told librarians Tuesday at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference. “You have to be on the front line in one of the most important fights we have ever faced in the history of our country — the fight to defend truth and reason, evidence and facts,” she said.

The former U.S. secretary of state told thousands of ALA Conferencegoers that librarians can spark “someone’s love of learning,” and they are “standing up for freedom to read, to learn.”

My first big assignment in 2017 (aside from successfully pulling off our annual conference) was to create a training plan for a 3-hour session for librarians at Brooklyn Public Library on web literacy. I was grateful for the input of BPL’s Director of Customer Experience on shaping the plan for the day, and thrilled as always to work with one of my web literacy partners in crime to make the training a success.