Developing Media Literacy in Public Libraries: Learning from Community Media Centers

ABSTRACT

The rise of digital media labs and spaces for content creation in public libraries has been documented in the scholarly literature. However, fewer studies have investigated the outcomes of media literacy initiatives in community media centers (CMCs) and how they might inform similar programs and services in public libraries. This article reports findings from a study that used qualitative research to investigate the current goals and activities of CMCs across the United States. The findings show that the educational, social, and community benefits of these programs could be useful for public libraries to consider in developing or augmenting their own media literacy initiatives.

KEYWORDS:

• Community engagement
• community media
• digital media
• media literacy
• youth media

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Colin Rhinesmith

Colin Rhinesmith is an assistant professor in the School of Library and Information Science at Simmons University. His research interests focus on the social, community, and policy aspects of information and communication technology, particularly in areas related to digital equity and community technology.

Christiana Lynne Urbano Stanton

Christiana Lynne Urbano Stanton received her MSLIS from Simmons College and is currently a librarian at the Public Library of Brookline in Massachusetts. She is interested in innovative STEAM programming and community development projects in public libraries.