Tefko Saracevic

Digital natives.Digital immigrants.

Libraries. The challenge faced by libraries in reaching

out to born digital

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Tefko Saracevic, PhDhttp://comminfo.rutgers.edu/~tefko/

tefkos@rutgers.edu

Tefko Saracevic

What?

Part I – The BIG picture Social forces

1. Digital natives, digital immigrants

2. Contemporary technology & society

Part II – The LIBRARY -Challenges & responses

3. Digital information resources4. Web access5. Information literacy6. Social media7. Conclusions

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Are young people (digital natives) really different?

How are library services for digital natives handled?

Tefko Saracevic

1. What do we mean? DefinitionsDigital natives

• Persons for whom digital technologies already existed when they were born, and hence had grown up with digital technology– also called “born digital”

“net generation” “millenials”

Digital immigrants

• Individuals who grew up without digital technology and adopted it later

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Generational differences expressed in technological terms

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Hotly debated - Sample of articles

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Prensky (2001) introduced the concept & terminology with little evidence

(2010)

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Growing number of studies –Sample of articles

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(2010)

(2009)

(2010)

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Characteristics - binary opposites Siân Bayne & Jen Ross (2007)

Digital natives • student• fast• young• future• multi-tasking• image• playful• looking forward• digital• action• constant connection

Digital immigrants• teacher, librarian, parent ...• slow• old• past, or ‘legacy’• logical, serial thinking• text• serious• looking backward• analogue• knowledge• isolation

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Controversy about digital nativesClaims – Assumptionson the one hand

• As native speakers of digital language, young people think and process information in an entirely different way from previous generations

• Because of that they have biological brain changes

Critiqueson the other hand

• Generational stereotyping– reality: claims/assumptions DO

NOT reflect it– oversimplified: should be

understood in diversity rather than dichotomy

• Assumes that all young people are wired digital masters who use technology mysteriously

• No scientific evidence

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Examples of digital natives in action

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a few more ...

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Rejection of simplified concept about digital natives/immigrants Selvyn, N. (2009), McKenzie, J. (2007)

• Empirical findings on assumptions: Not so! – Generational, not purely technical differences

• Picture of children and young people’s use of new technologies is more complex along:– socio-economic status & other “social fault” lines

• social class• geography• gender

– variety of uses– digital divide

• But term “digital natives” can be used as a metaphor12

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2. Contemporary technology

Web 2.0• Information and

communication technology and web design that aims to enhance creativity & information sharing in a new way

Lets people• Interact• Connect• Collaborate• Share • Contribute• Inform• Using variety of media

– text, audio, video, images

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Transformations Social • Variety of hardware &

software apps, tools developed to support many uses– commercial– educational– social

• Social software & sites• Transformed the Web• Created communities

Including libraries

• Growing number of libraries actively changed their web presence, including– social interactions with

various audiences, specifically including digital natives

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Another view of transformations

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Part II: Library challenges, responses

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Digital resources

User – appropriate content

Web access

User – centered design

Informa-tion

literacyUser – oriented guides

Social networks

In touch on user terms

Tefko Saracevic

Digital INFORMATION resources

General• Information records in

digital form, as opposed to analog– used to accomplish,

support, help activities requiring information

In libraries

• Part of the collection• Many e (digital) forms

– books (eBooks)– eJournals– videos– images– audio

• Either digitized from analog or born digital

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Digital resources

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Concentration

I will concentrate here on eBooks in some depth

recognizing that there are other digital information resources of great importance for library users of all generations – I will mention them only

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And now from print books (pBooks) onto electronic books (eBooks)

• No sculpture, yet, commemorating eBooks

• But eBooks are the fastest & most massive globally spreading books in book history – e.g.

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Book sculpture - commemorating invention of modern printingWalk of ideas, Berlin

a virtual fair July, 4 to Aug. 4, 2010 , featuring over 3,000,000 eBooks; org. by World Public Library - Michael Hart (Gutenberg Project)

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Libraries as producers – first generationDigitization• Globally great many

libraries digitized books from own collection

• Many are rare, historical, classics– opened treasures to

public – well received

• But all together relatively small in numbers

• Subsidized

A few examples from many

• British Library Online Gallery – 30,000 items

• Gallica, bibliothèque numérique Bibliothèque nationale de France– 1.2 mill. items, 192,000 books

• Biblioteca Digital HispánicaBiblioteca Nacional de España– 28,000 items

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Mass digitization projects – second generation

Pioneered• Industrial scale of

eBook digitization – innovative

• applications of technologies

• a number of partnerships with libraries

• Raised many issues & disagreements

• Global reach & involvement

Major projects• Project Gutenberg

– first, gave ideas to all– about 140,000 books

• Million Book Project– global cooperation– about 1.7 mill. books

• Google Books– largest; international– many libraries & even

countries cooperate– about 12 mill. books

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Next generation: Interaction in eBooks

Major innovation

• Adding potential for interaction is a giant step in evolution of eBooks– using dynamic web vs. static

scanned displays– makes eBooks into

something else – Web 2.0

• Many geared toward digital natives

pBooks vs. eBooks

• Interactive capabilities embedded within eBooks provide clear & even huge advantages over pBooks

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Vendors (aggregators)

What?• Bring together eBooks

from different sources & publishers & make it available to libraries & others

• Some do it via specific software or apps

• Provide books by subscription, license, payment, and free

Who?• Large, universal ones

taking the role of super-bookstores– with some interactivity

• Smaller, more specialized, aimed at specific markets, topics– particularly libraries &

similar institutions– many most innovative,

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Sample of vendors … all online onlyGiants with global reach

• Amazon – a super store & bookstore, e- & pBooks– mid 2010: for every 100 pBooks

sold, 180 eBooks were sold

• iBooks – Apple repeating the music formula to books, some digitized heritage books (e.g. Project Gutenberg) + current; many for digital natives

Specialized or niche

• ebrary “get the most out of your digital content.” Several interactive capabilities for eBooks

• ClassZone – large global text book publisher turned to eBooks. Extensive interactive e-texts for middle & high schools

– geared toward digital natives. – interactive learning: “Textbooks come

to life.”

• They became the way for libraries to get & manage e-resources of all kinds

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(While we do not call them “vendors” or “aggregators” that is what they are)

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Example of ebrary interactive display & link tools for books (InfoTools)

• InfoTools links to other resources

• If selected El Niño from a text it will show:

– define – show a dictionary definition

– explain – show encyclopedia, – locate – maps– who – biography, Wikipedia– search – all kinds of sources incl.

images, video– create note – note taking

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ClassZone example of an interactive biology text for high school

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Libraries and eBooks

Digitized old(er) books• Support tradition, culture– enlarge collection– attract interest for “buried”

treasures– provide resources for

education, scholarship

• Major political point for justifying subsidy

• Many libraries have a large number

Newly published

• Support modernity– current demands

• Why buy or license? – provide innovative services– possible for multi locations– circulate as other books– go with digital natives– for some no alternative

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eBook advantages for librariesOperations

• Can’t be stolen, lost, mis-shelved

• Automatic circulation• No additional space• Management easier

– software from vendors

• Circulated as other books

Access• 24/7 from anyplace

– but often restricted to own users (university, city)

• High demand books easily managed– pBook= single concurrent

user; eBook = many

• Merges with other services – print, audio, video

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Very popular with users, particularly digital natives

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eBook disadvantages for libraries

Economics

• Lots of €€€, $$$ …• Funding a challenge• Technology investments

still high• New competencies,

(re)education needed– for both librarians & users

Balancing

• With print collection– still the major part for all

libraries

• Still a good proportion of users are not there yet – digital divide

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Digital natives and eBooks

Digital

• Part of their universe– young predominate, but

not only young

• Changing patterns how people read in general– & search for information

• But information literacy for great many still low

Tools for reading eBooks

• Becoming better & ubiquitous– devices: Kindle, iPad, Nook – software: Adobe Digital

Editions ...

• Integrated with life• eBooks are just books

– to be read anywhere

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Example of an eBook read by a digital native anywhereAlly reading her book at a football game where her sister was a goalie (score 3:3)

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Versions of libraries –bricks & clicks

Library as physical place• Physical building

– physical collection, tools– social, collaborative,

learning places for users

• Physical access to organized materials in the place

• Prisoner of physicality

Library as virtual space• Digital space/place

– digital collection– access tools – quite different

• Interaction beyond searching & browsing

• Virtual access to organized digital resources any place

• Prisoner of technology

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Web access

Great many libraries are hybrid

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Access dramatically differentPhysical place Virtual space

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Use dramatically different

Physical

• Users have to be there• Ambience has to be

fostered

Virtual

• Users can be anywhere– virtual visits & use of

great many libraries greater now

• But dependent on library Web site

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use down

use up

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Library Web pages: where users meet the library

Major design criteria• User-centered design

– needs, wants, & limitations of end users are given extensive attention

– organized by user tasks, frequency, characteristics

– search made clear

• Valid for all kinds of users

For digital natives

• Functional, clear, appealing, utilitarian – aesthetics & graphics

• Flexibility, efficiency in use• Expected high usability

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Good design absolutely critical for effective use

For many libraries: a new world

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Example of a dynamic library web site - Denver Public Library

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Leads to getting the selected eBook from NetLibrary, a vendor

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Example of a teen library web site - Denver Public Library

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Example of a children library web site - Denver Public Library

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Example of a US public library web site in Spanish - Denver Public Library

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OverDrive : Example of a vendor providing variety of resources & apps for libraries, schools etc. for access & variety of users, digital natives included

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University of California : Example of a site offering multiple browsing choices; brings together over 150 institutions – very popular in schools

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Example of a township & high school interactive site, Springfield, Pennsylvanian

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Among others it leads to this site where kids can click on their choice

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Gale : Example of a vendor, providing mobile apps for students (& others) to download on their devices to access their library & Gale resources

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What do we mean? Contemporary approach:

Digital literacy• Ability to use digital

technology, communication tools or networks effectively

• A person’s ability to perform tasks effectively in a digital environment

• Tech savvy is not automatically digitally literate

Information literacy

• Ability to locate, understand, use & evaluate information in multiple formats from a wide range of sources using a computing device– for problem solving,

decision making, learning, even enjoying

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Informa-tion

literacy

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Goals for information literacy efforts

Recognition

• Accurate, trustworthy, verifiable information is basis for intelligent decision making, problem solving, learning

Competencies

• Identify potential sources of information

• Access these sources• Evaluate sources &

information• Organize information• Integrate for

application, learning

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Geared toward digital resources & specific audiences, e.g. digital natives

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Applied in libraries

• Online tutorials for given subjects• Online tutorials for given activities • Webinars (Web seminars) • Suggestions on making information literacy courses• Evaluation tools

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Example of a subject tutorial from a university library

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Example of a information literacy tutorial from a university library

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Example of a library research tutorial from Cornell University library

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Example of a regular Webinar about solving information problems

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Example of a video on making of information literacy tutorials(from Slideshare)

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What do we mean?

Social networks Results

• Developing a culture of critique & debate

• Much freer expression• For education:

– educational tools – back to student driven

model of medieval Europe? (José Ortega y Gasset)

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• Sites that focus on building online communities of people who:– share interests– activities– explore interests &

activities of others

Social networks

Many sites emerged & disappeared, few big ones dominate

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Tefko Saracevic

Means for:• Collaborating:

– Wikis

• Expressing, responding:– Blogs

• Communicating:– Twitter– Facebook – MySpace

• RSS (Really Simple Syndication)

– updating

• Sharing:– Dropbox– Flickr– YouTube

• Bookmarking:– Delicious

• Subject guides– many libraries & others

• Instant messaging (IM)– many reference services

57Enhance human connections – but ...

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Library applications

• Transition the way services are delivered to users

• Marketing & promoting library services

• Many libraries participate in e.g. – blogging (list of library blogs)

– social media (Social networking librarian)

• Making the library site more interactive

• Increase the flow of information from users to library

• Connect with users:

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Example of social media in a public library – Denver Public Library

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Facebook applications to enhance library services

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Libraries on Twitter - over 620 libraries

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Example of a school library blog (CEIP Principe Filipe)

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And a video Librarians do Gaga ( Information School, University of Washington)

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7. ConclusionsDigital natives – digital immigrants

• Generational changes happened throughout history• We should be mindful of the changes in technological

“lifeworld” of digital natives– but avoid excesses in the debate - such as claiming substantial

transformation of social relations - &– concentrate on enhancing our understandings of the realities

of technology use in contemporary society (Selvyn, 2009)

• It is not threatening at all – could be used for advantage• But digital divide - have and have nots - is real for all

generations & must be taken into account

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Conclusions (continued): LIBRARY challenges, responses

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• They are ALL connected

• Responses have to incorporate ALL four elements

• Adjusted, directed toward users of various kinds

• User-centered

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This presentation in Wordle

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Thank you for inviting me!

Tefko Saracevic

BibliographyBennett, S., Maton, K., & Kervin, L. (2008) The 'digital natives' debate: A critical review of the evidence. British

Journal of Educational Technology, 39 (5), 775-786.Brown, A.L. (blog). Social networking librarian. Exploring social networking and technology in libraries. Available

at: http://socialnetworkinglibrarian.com/ Fernandez-Villavicencio, N. G. (2010) Helping students become literate in a digital, networking-based society: A

literature review and discussion, The International Information & Library Review, 42(2), 124-136.Kolikant, Y.B.-D. (2010.Digital natives, better learners? Students' beliefs about how the Internet influenced their

ability to learn. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(6), 1384-1391.McKenzie, J. (2007) Digital Nativism, Digital Delusions and Digital Deprivation. From Now On: The Educational

technology Journal , 17(2). Available at: http://www.fno.org/nov07/nativism.html Prensky, M (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants On the Horizon, 9 (5) Available at:

http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf

Prensky, M (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, Part II: Do They Really Think Differently? On the Horizon, 9(6) Available at: http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part2.pdf

Selvyn, N. The digital native – myth and reality (2009) Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives, 61(4), 364-379.

Wong, M. (n.d.) Great web design tips Available at http://www.great-web-design-tips.com/

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For download

• This presentation can be found at my site:http://comminfo.rutgers.edu/~tefko/articles.htm

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