Digital Inclusion and Public Libraries: Transforming Lives and Societies

Abstract

New Zealand (NZ) is one of the most highly connected countries in the world with 93% of its citizens connected to the internet (UMR Research, 2017). However, in NZ, access to networked technologies is not fairly and evenly spread across communities. Some groups, including those in low socio-economic communities, people with disabilities, refugees with English as a second language and those with limited education, experience barriers to their access and use of networked technologies and thus barriers to accessing the benefits and advantages of living in a digital world. This paper explores digital inclusion for these disadvantaged groups in NZ and the role that public libraries can play in supporting access and skills to use digital technologies to actively participate in society. As public libraries reposition themselves as community hubs where people can meet and learn new skills, they can become important agents of digital inclusion, and overcome some of the emerging digital divides such as material access, skills and usage. In this role, they are providing marginalised members of society not only access to digital technologies, but supporting them to develop the necessary skills to participate in an increasingly digital world.

This paper reports on a New Zealand study, developed in partnership with Public Libraries NZ, which investigated the role public libraries are playing in supporting community members’ digital access, skills and participation. It outlines how the project was conceived as a partnership, and the findings from a workshop and survey with librarians. Recommendations for local government are presented.