Or: What’s New Today?
One way or another, a public library director is involved in the planning, development, design, application, and integration of technologies within the library and information environment. That includes the impact of emerging technologies on library service and the effect of automated technologies on people.
Definitions
The ICfL assists Idaho libraries and Idahoans in accessing information and communication technology vital for life in the 21st century.
What is digital inclusion? Terms such as the digital divide and the homework gap are often used to describe the disparity separating those with access to the internet and devices from those without such access. However, these terms do not always capture the complexities of our digital age. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) defines digital inclusion as “the activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and use of Information
and Communication Technologies.” This includes five elements:
- Affordable, robust broadband internet service
- Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user
- Access to digital literacy training
- Quality technical support
- Applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration
What is digital equity? By addressing the five elements of digital inclusion, we work toward achieving digital equity, defined by NDIA as “a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services.”
What is digital literacy? As one of the five elements of digital inclusion, training related to digital literacy is fundamental. The American Library Association’s Digital Literacy Task Force defines digital literacy as “the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills.”
Role of Libraries
Libraries can help their communities achieve digital equity through:
Broadband Internet Service
Internet-Enabled Devices
Digital Literacy Training
- DigitalLearn is a project of the Public Library Association, funded through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), to create an online hub for digital literacy support and training.
- ICfL’s Niche Academy is an online learning platform built for libraries with interactive tutorials on a variety of topics.
- Tech Life Unity (formerly Techboomers) is a free educational website that teaches older adults and other inexperienced internet users basic computer skills sufficient to access websites that can improve their quality of life.
Technical Support
- The Broadband Toolkit Improvement Program (BTIP) provides a toolkit and improvement plan developed specifically for small, rural, and tribal libraries with limited information technology support and resources to help them better understand their library’s broadband connection and services.
- ICfL Library Technology Consultant Doug Baker (doug.baker@libraries.idaho.gov) is available to help Idaho libraries of all types, but especially public libraries, with issues relating to any technology.
- The Tech-Talk Newsletter is a weekly, technology-focused e-newsletter for non-techies delivered to your inbox and available to any and all Idaho library staff members.
Online Content
- The ICfL’s eBranch Program is an initiative to assist Idaho libraries in having a web presence.
- The Idaho Digital E-Book Alliance (IDEA) is a statewide partnership among the ICfL, public libraries, and school libraries with the goal of expanding access while reducing barriers to digital e-books and e-audio content via OverDrive.
- Libraries Linking Idaho (LiLI.org) is the gateway for Idaho residents for free access to online tools for their educational, business, and recreational needs.
STEM and STEAM
- STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. The last decade has seen an increase in STEAM education and programming at all levels. The ICfL provides STEAM resources for:
- Early Learners (ages 0 through 8 years)
- Tweens and Teens (ages 9 through 19 years)
- Each year, the ICfL awards public, school, or academic libraries Summer STEM from Your Library Grants of up to $500 to help pay for materials or presenters to support STEM outreach efforts during the summer. The ICfL also provides a toolkit for learning activities and other resources.