ElectionWatch 2022 Case Study
- CILIPIreland
- Apr 12, 2022
- 2 min read
Libraries NI Supporting Digital Inclusion
Digital inclusion is essential for the social, economic and educational advantages of life in the modern world. Public libraries can provide supported opportunities for children, young people and adults to engage with activities and programmes making use of new technologies, accessing information, learning and becoming engaged citizens.
Today’s society requires people to be digital citizens in order to communicate, carry out every day transactions and to access information. However, many people lack the skills, confidence or access to ICT needed to be a digital citizen.
Libraries NI offers digital support for customers via various channels including the popular Got IT? and Go ON sessions delivered in partnership with the Department of Finance to help members of the public with limited or no IT skills get online and stay connected.
Through one-to-one skills development and small group training sessions, customers can get started using a computer, email and the internet as well as being made aware of online safety and privacy issues whilst developing the skills they need to enhance their daily lives.
Libraries NI was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, causing widespread disruption to the provision of the library services. With library buildings closed, normal face-to-face delivery of IT courses and support moved online and were delivered via Zoom. An IT phone help line was also set up ensuring people could contact us directly if required.
These services proved to be very popular and a welcome source of practical help for people who suddenly found themselves isolated during a teim when staying in touch with friends and family and using online services such as shopping and banking were essential.
Between July 2020 and January 2022, 844 Zoom sessions were delivered to 1784 participants with participants comments "It's great to learn new things! It can be quite a hassle trying to keep up with new technology!!" and "Thank you for the information re iPad and PC. It has allied anxiety in me using it the next time I do Zoom."
Alongside regular digital support courses, a number of stand-alone digital inclusion events take place throughout the year. A particular highlight was Positive Ageing Month in October 2021 with Libraries NI hosting a Digital Day in Omagh, Ballymena, Derry Central and Cookstown libraries.
The Digital Day included a variety of in branch and online events ranging from Reminiscence to Tai Chi, IT workshops to Scam Awareness sessions alongside staff from Danske Bank.
In response to concerns about the digital divide, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, Libraries NI, along with a number of partner organisations, recently secured the purchase of approximately 100 tablet devices with a free Wi-Fi allowance included, as part of a Connect Project pilot.
These devices will enable isolated or vulnerable adults who have previously been unable to access the internet, to get online and take part in six months training provided by Libraries NI and Supporting Communities. The participants who would have previously been digitally excluded, will now be able to see the benefits of being online to access communication, entertainment and much more.
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