Digital literacy in public libraries

CHICAGO — Today's libraries are thoroughly digital environments, not only storing and preserving written information electronically, but also emphasizing digital access to information as a pathway to equitably educating the community on issues of health, employment, education, and local history. And fostering patrons' ability to effectively use digital tools for information and personal enrichment is a natural fit for public libraries, complimenting other initiatives like information literacy and media literacy. Published by ALA Editions, “Digital Literacy in Public Libraries” provides a holistic view of digital literacy support across the full spectrum of the public library. Using real-world examples, authors Jenna Kammer and Lauren Hays demonstrate how public libraries can transform the work of digital literacy from answering on-the-fly tech questions to implementing full scale digital literacy programs which are integrated throughout the library. Public library workers, library board members, and those who want to understand more about the digital literacy imperative within public libraries will:

• delve into the concept of digital literacy, the ways in which it empowers individuals in digital systems of information, and how it fits in with other kinds of literacy;
• find ideas for effective digital literacy technical support, programming, services, spaces, collection development, outreach, and more;
• learn how to measure the impact of digital literacy initiatives, identify gaps within the community where the library can make an impact, and overcome challenges;
• discover guidance on building partnerships, both internal and external, and finding additional sources of funding to expand digital literacy opportunities within the scope of what is already available;
• receive practical advice from the "Ask the Expert" sidebars throughout the book, where practitioners share their knowledge and experience; and
• get adaptable tools such as sample language, an expenditure budget, an individual needs assessment, a digital literacy readiness checklist, survey instruments, and a lesson plan template that can be used for digital literacy programming.

Kammer, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Library Science at the University of Central Missouri where she teaches classes on research, organizing information, information sources and services and technologies in libraries. Previously, she has worked in several public libraries, a community college library and an art museum, as well as working as an instructional designer.

Hays, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Instructional Technology at the University of Central Missouri where she teaches classes on research, emerging technologies, leadership, and assessment. Previously, she was an instruction librarian at liberal arts college. Hays is involved with the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) and the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA).

Previously, Kammer and Hays co-edited “Integrating Digital Literacy in the Disciplines” and co-authored “Digital Literacy Made Simple.”

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