Date post: | 11-Jul-2015 |
Category: |
Technology |
Upload: | civic-agenda-eu |
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PUBLIC LIBRARIES
as ‘third places’
addressing
the DIGITAL DIVIDE
Agnieszka Koszowska
Information Society Development Foundation
TRAININGSYSTEM
TECHNOLOGICALSUPPORT
ADVOCACYAND
COMMUNICATION
CAPACITY BUILDING
OF THE LIBRARY SYSTEM
» Libraries will become multifunctional centres of local activities» Libraries will better serve the needs of local inhabitants» Libraries will act as ‘agents of change’
LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - OBJECTIVES
LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - RESEARCH
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
» Have positive image in the communities» Enjoy public trust» Are associated with words: ‘reliable’, ‘safe’, ‘trust’ etc.» Are always close (at least one in each commune) » Are free of charge
LOCAL COMMUNITIES
» Need a public meeting place without alcohol being served » Need social contacts and integration.
DIGITAL EXLUSION IN POLAND
10 mln Poles aged 50+ do not use ICT
Main reasons of digital exclusion include:
» Lack of need» Lack of interest» Low awareness of the ICT applications» Low motivation» Lack of competence and skills
Between alienation and adjustment ‘M@turity in the Net’ coalition report
http://dojrzaloscwsieci.pl/tl_files/pliki/Raport.pdf
Public access to the InternetIS NOT ENOUGH
Public Internet Access Points face problems of:
» Sustainability» Lack of nationwide coordination» Insufficient staff» Low cooperation» Low availability (and no sharing) of training resources
DIGITAL EXLUSION IN POLAND
A LIBRARY AS A THIRD PLACE
A public meeting place
» Neutral» Safe» Offering social integration» Heart of the community
A place…
» To meet» To talk» To spend time together» To relax, to have fun» To learn new skills
A LIBRARY – A PLACE ADDRESSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
HE DIGITALLY EXCLUDED»
o not need ICT»
re not aware of the ICT applications
HAT THEY NEED IS»
local meeting place –»
eutral, safe, reliable, without alcohol
GET ONLINE WEEK 2011 IN POLAND
» Informal meetings for senior citizens in public libraries» Training and integration (with coffee and cookies)» Presentation of the ICT applications in daily lives» Suggested scenarios (three popular themes)» Ready to use training materials, handouts, templates
» Nationwide competition for libraries
» Partnership with Microsoft and UPC » Wide media coverage» Advocacy on the local level
GET ONLINE WEEK 2011 IN POLAND
HREE SCENARIOS
Yours for the asking’ (music on the Net)
Health Clinic’ (medical information)
Talk – priceless’ (using instant messaging)
CONCLUSIONS
» Library – a ‘third’ physical place to address digital divide» Focus on sustainability» Good practice: thematic scenarios for specific subjects» Ready-to-use handouts, templates and training materials (with an Open Access approach)» Nationwide coordination» Advocacy and communication
CHALLENGES
ICT & media education as a USP for libraries?
» New ICT tools, new media, new ways of accessing information» Rapid ICT development makes it hard to keep up» Multi-leveled approach is needed in digital literacy education» From basic and informal to specialist and expert levels» Peer learning, effective ways of knowledge exchange
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
The Polish-American Freedom Foundation has partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help Poland’s public libraries provide access to computers, the Internet, and training. The Library Development Program in Poland is implemented by the Information Society Development Foundation.