Idaho Commission for Libraries
Address: 325 W State St., Boise, ID 83702Phone: (208) 334-2150 | In-State Toll Free: (800) 458-3271
Printed from the Idaho Commission for Libraries website: http://libraries.idaho.gov
Digital Natives as Library Stakeholders
Libraries have always wooed particular segments of their community. Sometimes it is a conscious effort done by assessing who the library needs to connect with so they can create a mutually beneficial relationship (the small business community, for example). Or libraries may offer a traditional slate of services that may or may not match their community needs and consequently may not create strong library advocates.
Professionally, and personally, I would always advocate making conscious choices but first we need some facts! To better understand digital natives and have them become our next generation of library stakeholders check out the website listed below. (Thank you Marcia Beckwith, Boise School District, for sharing this site.)
"Family, Friends & Community: Teens and Technology", 2006 Public Library Association Conference presentation. http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/63/presentation_display.asp
Posted on the Pew Internet and American Life Project site. It also includes links to reports on the following topics (all critical areas we NEED to know about):
- The Strength of Internet Ties
- Teen Content Creators and Consumers
- Teens and Technology
- Protecting Teens Online
Glenna Rhodes, Boise Public Library
- Posted by: sandiw1941
Library Internet Policy Information
I am definitely a “digital
I am definitely a “digital immigrant” in fact I am so new to this that I might be considered a “digital klutz working on immigrating to the digital age”. I learned a lot at Saturday’s session. I already knew that most young people today are pretty well “plugged in” and “wired” and not just on coffee but what heartens me is that books and libraries are still important to them. They still view a library as a place to come to not just to connect to. They meet their friends there, check out books and participate in programs. In fact it sounds like they would like even more programs and they have good ideas for those programs
The fact that the library is still important to them tells me that we are reaching them and that they are already advocates for libraries. It may be a library different than the one I went to as a young person but it will be there and it will have more than just books. Perhaps if the building has the ability to be more multi-functional, taxpayers and voters will be more willing to pass bond issues.
Libraries need to include young people on their boards. They can offer fresh ideas, new perspectives and a vision that will carry us past 2020.
Learning about “digital natives” and “digital immigrants” and hearing from these “natives” inspires and encourages me to keep on with my struggle to enter this new age and brave new world.