The Government and local authorities should take steps to promote the role of libraries in digital inclusion efforts, according to the charity Good Things Foundation.
It has published the findings of a research project on the issue that it carried out with Libraries Connected – a charity organisation for the sector – and support from Arts Council England.
Key findings included that libraries play a vital role in the ecosystem of support for digital inclusion, but that provision varies between and within local services, that they are limited by staff numbers, funding and outdated IT infrastructure, and half of library services do not have an inclusion strategy.
More than 80% of services were at least partly confident that they were meeting the relevant needs, but not everyone feels comfortable using a library and some needs may be hidden.
In response, Good Things and Libraries Connected have developed a framework for digital inclusion delivery. It involves place based partnerships and a digital inclusion support offer with three strands: efforts to build skills and empowerment, provide data connectivity and devices.
Need for national strategy
They also urged the Department for Culture, Media and Sport the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to develop a new digital inclusion strategy for England that recognises the role of libraries and community organisations as crucial elements of the infrastructure.
Local authorities should support library services with information and funding so they can better help people with online transactions, and take active steps to promote the role of libraries and community bodies in their inclusion strategies.
Libraries themselves should develop their own strategies, use the framework to work on evolving their digital inclusion offers, partner with community organisations and look for relevant funding opportunities.
Good Things and Libraries Connected have resolved to support the sharing of innovation and good practice between libraries and more widely, and to advocate nationally for more funding for the sector.
Vital role
Dr Emma Stone, director of evidence and engagement at Good Things, said: “Lots of libraries are already members of the National Digital Inclusion Network run by Good Things Foundation.
“This research shines a light on the vital role they play alongside and in partnership with community and voluntary sector organisations and local authorities.
“This is the national social infrastructure for digital inclusion. We believe that recognising and resourcing this critical infrastructure should be at the heart of a new digital inclusion strategy for England.”
Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected, said: “As this important research shows, public libraries are ideally placed to provide the skills, connectivity and equipment that we all need to make the most of our online world. It showcases the really innovative work that libraries are doing – often in partnership with other community organisations – to help people access digital services, experiment with new technology and stay safe online.
“If libraries are to continue closing the digital divide, however, they will need more specialist staff, upgraded infrastructure and more strategic thinking from local and national government.”
