The Knight Foundation has released a new report Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy. A good deal of the content either is or could be applies to libraries. The entire report is 148 pages, you can also download a 2 page summary that includes recommendations like these 2: Increase support for public service media aimed at meeting community information needs. Read more … 6: Integrate digital and media literacy as critical elements of education at all levels through collaboration among federal, state, and local education officials. Read more … 7: Fund and support public libraries and other community institutions as centers of digital and media training, especially for adults. Read more … 10: Support the activities of information providers to reach local audiences with quality content through all appropriate media, such as mobile phones, radio, and public-access cable. Read more … 12: Engage young people in developing the digital information and communication capacities of local communities. Read more … 14: Emphasize community information flow in the design and enhancement of a local community’s public spaces.. Read more … 15: Ensure that every local community has at least one high-quality online hub. Read more … The Foundation has also taken actions that affect libraries: $3.3 million to improve free, public Internet
Digital Divide
Libraries and Transliteracy Slideshow
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about transliteracy and how important the concept is for libraries and librarians. I’ve created a slideshow I hope conveys the message and is easy to share. I have also added page with information on transliteracy. Libraries and Transliteracy View more presentations from Bobbi Newman. Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Share on FriendFeed Buzz it up Share on netvibes share via Reddit Share with Stumblers Tumblr it Buzz it up Subscribe to the comments on this post Print for later Tell a friend
Libraries Need to Focus on Transliteracy
Libraries have focused on literacy, the ability to read, write and interact, for years. It is an important service to our patrons and our communities. People need to be literate in order to be involved in and contribute to society. Times are changing, technologies are evolving rapidly, it’s no longer enough to focus on the ability to read and write alone. If we only focus on literacy we are doing a disservice to our patrons. Just as libraries took on the task of helping to ensure all people are literate, now we need to take on the task of ensure all people are transliterate. What is transliteracy? Transliteracy is the ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms, tools and media from signing and orality through handwriting, print, TV, radio and film, to digital social networks. – wikipedia Soon people will need to be transliterate in order to be involved in and contribute to society. It is already a requirement to participate in some aspects of our society and it will only become more so. Government agencies are no longer issuing print forms, you have to access them online. Your health insurance plan was a website and
The UNICEF Bee and the Digital Doorway
This video, The Future of the Library, has been making the rounds on library blogs and after watching it I visit the blog Everywhere is Here. Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the digital divide and the bubble I spend most of my time in so I was much more interested in this video. It is about the Digital Doorway and the UNICEF Bee, providing access to the internet for those in remote areas. The project was inspired by the Hole in the Wall experiment (perhaps more famous for inspiring the movie Slumdog Millionare) The information and access we take for granted, so for granted in fact that we we’re concerned about the future of libraries as they have been traditionally, is something a great many people don’t have. This video and the projects linked to are in Africa and India but the divide is real, right here in the United States. There are a great many people without access to the internet access or a computer or a smartphone. People, who, if they did have access wouldn’t know how to use them. Just something to think about. Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Share on FriendFeed Buzz it
Reading
