America’s Public Libraries:“Silent Partners” in Digital Literacyand Broadband Adoption Efforts?

Larra ClarkAmerican Library Association

Office for Information Technology PolicyFCBA March 15, 2012

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Library 101• More public libraries than McDonalds in U.S.

– 16,698 public library buildings• Library “triple play:”

– Physical locations with tech infrastructure– Staffed by informational professionals– Robust and diverse electronic content

• Nearly one-third of Americans age 14 or older – or roughly 77 million people – used a public library computer or wireless network in 2009.

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Library 101• 67% of all library computer users received one on-one ‐

help from library staff or volunteers in 2009.

• 40% of library computer users (roughly 30 million people) used library resources to help address career and employment needs.

• Libraries and museums are the most trusted sources of information – far more so than others, including government, commercial and private individual websites

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Libraries & Digital Literacy

Digital Literacy is the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate,

create, and communicate information.

*It requires both cognitive and technical skills

(ALA Digital Literacy Taskforce, 2011)

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Libraries & Digital Literacy• National Broadband Plan

• Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)

• DigitalLiteracy.gov

• Public/Private Partnerships

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Key Lessons• Informal and formal training and learning

opportunities are both valuable• Digital literacy training is most effective in context• Adequate staffing, staff expertise and adequate

public computers are leading barriers for expanding technology services

• That said, libraries still offer a “triple play” of qualities that make them an ideal partner for digital literacy and broadband adoption efforts

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For more information:

www.ala.org/oitp

Larra Clark

lclark@alawash.org

202-628-8410

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