Digital Literacy Programs in Support of Diverse Communities – An Australian Public Library Approach

ABSTRACT

Public libraries play a vital role in developing and facilitating digital literacy programs for diverse communities. Digital literacy skills are important because they enable access to information and engagement with government and support services that are increasingly provided online. This paper reviews literature and library programs world-wide to identify good practice in developing and facilitating digital literacy programs. It also presents our findings from a case study illustrating the practice of Hume Libraries, an Australian public library recognised for its leadership in digital literacy programs in support of diverse communities. Results from the review alongside interviews and a focus group with Hume Libraries staff informed the development of a framework to support the successful development and facilitation of digital literacy programs for diverse communities. The framework presents tasks in a checklist format for practitioners to consider when they develop, facilitate and enhance digital literacy programs for diverse communities.

KEYWORDS:

• Digital literacy
• diverse communities
• Australian public libraries
• framework

Acknowledgements

This submission fulfils the terms of our 2020 ALIA Research Grant Award. The framework featured in table 3 of this submission has been published on the ALIA website as part of a digital guide: Vo-Tran, H., Whiteside, N., Tait, E., Cooper, V., Bachmann, B. (2021). Digital Literacy Programs for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities: Developing, facilitating and enhancing digital literacy programs in Australian Public Libraries. Australian Library and Information Association Melbourne, Australia. Retrieved from: https://read.alia.org.au/digital-literacy-programs-culturally-and-linguistically-diverse-communities.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Australian Library and Information Association under the 2020 ALIA Research Grant Award.

Notes on contributors

Naomi Whiteside

Dr Naomi Whiteside is a Senior Lecturer in Information Systems in the School of Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain. Naomi has a specific interest in how information systems support virtual communities and IT for good. Her inter-disciplinary research focuses on business and not for profit organisations adoption and use of technology.

Vanessa Cooper

Dr Vanessa Cooper is a Professor in Information Systems in the School of Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain. Vanessa's research in information systems examines the impact of technology in complex contexts such as environmental sustainability, emergency management, social justice, and the future of work. Vanessa's research has attracted over AUD $1.4M in funding, been published in leading information systems outlets and won multiple awards including best paper awards at international conferences and from the Australian Computer Society.

Huan Vo-Tran

Huan Vo-Tran is a senior lecturer in the School of Accounting, Information Sysitems and Supply Chain at RMIT University. He is currently the Postgraduate Program Manager for the Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics, and prior to this he was the Higher Degree by Research Coordinator. Huan Obtained his PhD in 2014 where he explored the information management and sharing practices of architects and builders as they completed a multi-million dollar complex construction project. Currently he has 6 HDR candidates and 4 completions. He currently serves on the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Research Advisory Committee whose focus is to promote the value of research in the profession and to provide advice on ALIA's role in research in general.

Elizabeth Tait

Dr Elizabeth Tait is a Senior Lecturer in Information Studies at Charles Sturt University where she is a Course Director. Her research interests are in the socio-cultural impact of digital technologies with a particular focus on cultural heritage and political engagement. She is also interested in how emergent technologies impact on skills needs and skills development in the GLAMR sector.