Cora is currently working as an Executive Librarian in DeValera Library, Ennis having previously worked for 13 years as Executive Librarian in Westside Library, Galway. Cora has also worked in academic libraries and as an IT trainer in the IT sector. Her professional interests are varied and they include reading & literature, new emerging technologies, community participation and the future of libraries. Cora is currently undertaking the competent communicator programme as part of Toastmasters International.

1. DIGITAL LITERACY IN LIBRARIES
EXPLORING DIFFERENT MODELS AND EXPERIENCES
Cora Gunter

2. WHAT IS DIGITAL LITERACY?
Digital literacy is the set of
competencies required for full
participation in a knowledge
society. It includes knowledge,
skills, and behaviors involving the
effective use of digital devices
such as smartphones, tablets,
laptops and desktop PCs for
purposes of communication,
expression, collaboration and
advocacy.

3. WHY INCLUDE DIGITAL LITERACY IN
DISCUSSION ON DIVERSITY IN LIBRARIES?
Presumptions & assumptions
 Presumption 1
Is digital literacy only for seniors?
 Presumption 2
Are all digital literacy classes the
same?
121 Digital in Westside Library
Friends Clare model in DeValera Library
 Presumption 3
Are all libraries providing this
service?
 Digital Literacy Survey
Usual provisios for surveys apply
I, Daniel Blake – 2016
Can only apply online for social welfare
Can't read or write
Printing
Online shopping

4. DIGITAL LITERACY SURVEY -
ARE ALL LIBRARIES ARE PROVIDING THE SERVICE
Question 9
If you don’t provide IT classes – can you give a reason why you don’t?
9 libraries out of 17 replied that they did not provide IT classes
• Not enough staff. Not paid to do it.
• We have only 2 public internet PCs. However we do encourage one to one tuition with a casual volunteer tutor
• We could provide better classes if we had front desk staff to release the trainers.
• We don't have adequate training or skills to provide that service
• We used to - few years back but, unfortunately, due to staff shortages unable to provide classes at the moment.
• In 2013 6 participants completed FETAC Level 3 courses which were provided at the Library by FAS which has since
been dissolved. Participants had to be in receipt of social welfare & actively seeking training/employment to take
part. The IT equipment used then is now defunct & the current IT facilities available are fully in use with open
public access. There is no separate classroom type space suitable for a class group in the library.
• I have found that most help Patrons require on our PC's is for booking Boarding passes, applying for passports ,
Printing bank statements etc. and various other uses that it is impossible to do a practise beforehand.
• Shortage of PCs, shortage of available staff.
• We provided a course of IT classes a few years ago and advertised to see if more people would be interested in
attending and there was no response.

5. PROVISION OF DL SKILLS IS NATIONAL
LIBRARY POLICY
 ICT provision would … ‘cover connectivity, hardware (new or
upgraded), maintenance, training and upskilling for staff and training
and tutoring for the public.’ (Branching Out – 1998, p 12)
 Equipment ‘1449 public access Internet PCs, the provision of optical
scanning facilities for library users with visual impairment, colour
printers to allow printing of OSI maps’
Also Lifesteps guides & eliteracy projects (Branching Out – Future
Directions 2008) .
 ICT concentrated on a shared library system – sierra & ‘prioritise support
for … ICT skills.’ ‘Skills in ICT, customer service, change management,
communication and marketing were the most frequently cited areas for
workforce learning and development.’ (Opportunities for all 2013-17)

6. DIGITAL SKILLS PROVISION IS
ALSO GOVERNMENT POLICY
Minister Naughten launches Digital Skills for Citizens
Grant Scheme to help people get online –
November 2016
Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that 17%
of Irish people have never used the internet and cite
lack of skills as one of the key barriers. This Scheme
aims to address this skills deficit and give people the
confidence and knowledge to participate in today's
digital world.

7. DIGITAL SKILLS FOR CITIZENS
GRANT SCHEME
15 organisations were awarded a total
of €2.2m to provide basic digital
skills training to people across
every county. The Scheme aims to
give people the confidence,
motivation and skills to take their
first steps online, so that they can
play their part in an increasingly
digital world.
Interesting to note that there is no
library service included
Organisation Numbers of non-liners to be
trained
Grant
Amount
Age Action Ireland Ltd 2,461 €221,490
Ballyhoura Development Ltd 1,000 €90,000
County Sligo Leader Partnership Company Ltd 1,000 €92,000
ECDL Ireland Ltd t/a ICS Skills 1,000 €90,000
Family Carers Ireland Ltd 1,000 €92,000
Fast Track into Information Technology (FIT) 4,000 €320,000
IE Domain Registry Ltd 1,000 €100,000
Irish Rural Link Co-operative Society Ltd 1,300 €105,599
Meath Community Rural & Social Development 1,000 €85,000
National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) 1,000 €100,000
Roscommon Integrated Development Company Ltd 7,000 €595,000
South East Community Training & Education Centre Ltd 1,000 €85,000
St. Catherine’s Community Services Centre Ltd 1,000 €85,000
The Cork Academy of Music Ltd 1,000 €80,000
Third Age Foundation Company Ltd 1,000 €80,000

8. STAFF LED MODELS
Staff run
 Digital Literacy classes
 Eresources training eg Bolinda
 eServices Roadshow: Kildare County Council Library
Service In 2013, as part of the Kildare Library service
marketing strategy, a promotional campaign of online
services was undertaken.
Many librarians in the survey answered that due to lack
of staff resources or lack of relevant skills amongst
staff run as the main reason why they were not
running Digital literacy classes

9. PARTNERSHIP MODELS
 Kilkenny Library Service partners Kilkenny VEC in the
provision of computer classes at Ferrybank Library in
South Kilkenny. This initiative which commenced in
February 2013 is funded by Kilkenny VEC Community
Education Service which also supplies the tutor. The
venue, PCs and promotion are provided by the library.
The classes cover basic IT skills and take place for two
hours per week for six weeks. (Opportunities for all,
2013). Others include Age Action
 Volunteer Model, 121 Digital with TYs or volunteer orgs
For best result administered by library staff and tuition
provided by volunteers

10. DIGITAL LITERACY SURVEY –
QUESTION 1

11. SURVEY – QUESTIONS 2 & 3
Question 2 - What is the duration of the
course? (How many hours over how
many weeks?)
3 replies = 2 hours over 5 weeks
1 reply = 1 hour over 4 weeks
1 reply = 36 weeks
1 reply = Open ended
1 reply = hour over eight weeks
1 reply = 1hr 30 mins once a week for 6 weeks
Question 3 – Is the course certified?

12. SURVEY – QUESTIONS 4 & 5
Question 4- How many attendees on
average per course?
Question 5 – Who can attend?
Important only if you have an age specific
provider such as Age Action

13. SURVEY – QUESTIONS 6 & 7
2 replies = Library staff
6 replies = external group
 Age Action
 Family Carers Ireland
 Friends Ireland Voluntary Social group
(Friends Galway & Friends Clare)
Funded through Getting Citizens Online
Scheme
 L & C ETB, Limerick City CDP, Wheelchair
Association
 Kilrush Resource Centre
Question 7 – If an external group provides
your IT classes, what type of organisation is
it and what is their name?
Question 6 – Are the classes provided by
library staff or by an external group?
Can we draw a conclusion here on
partnership model versus staff run models?

14. SURVEY – QUESTIONS 8 & 9
Question 9 - If you don’t provide IT classes –
can you give a reason why you don’t?
Question 8 – How would you rate the IT
classes provided in your library?
•Not enough staff
•Not enough trained staff

15. FINAL QUESTION ENDS ON A POSITIVE NOTE
& THE QUESTION THAT I DIDN’T INCLUDE
IS THIS SERVICE PROVIDED BY ANOTHER AGENCY IN YOUR
LOCALITY

16. DIGITAL LITERACY IN LIBRARIES
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS…
 Should public libraries be providing this service?
If yes – we need resources – staff & training,
awareness of the different models, awareness of
available funding
 We need to be letting policy makers know our views
 What model should we use?
 Helps our patrons & community
 Enhances our service provision
 Helps build a library community