The role of libraries in

supporting digital literacy

Deb MilesExecutive Manager Regional Partnerships

State Library of Queensland and public libraries are a vital community resource

A place for sharing, learning, collaborating, and creating.

Libraries inspire the way people live, work, play and learn, create - wherever they are.

One of our key services includes working with Queensland Councils and their network of approximately 340 public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres and communities to create vibrant programs that help strengthen their community.

327 public libraries - all owned and operated by Councils $23 million annual state government funds

239 Independent libraries 65 Rural Libraries Queensland libraries

23 Indigenous Knowledge Centres

Queensland Public Libraries

The role of public libraries in digital inclusion

• They support lifelong learning and literacy – digital literacy is a 21st

century life skill

• They play an important role in the digital

learning ecology – they are community

hubs and connectors with the wider community

• They offer a specialised workforce, infrastructure, programs and collections

to aid all forms of literacy support in

communities

• Libraries provide an informal learning environment for the whole community

• The neutral and non-academic/non-judgemental role of libraries can

support digital literacy with in fun and

creative ways

• Libraries can focus on the creative,

playful and engaging elements of digital literacy and support its uptake in

the community

• Everyone can be a member of the local library and access information and

resources for free

• Libraries exemplify the benefits offered by the digital world and inspire others

to take part

• Libraries can educate and encourage

Queenslanders to be digitally aware,

active and confident

• Libraries support digital inclusion by

enabling the use of digital information sources, communication tools and

networks for learning, communication,

collaboration and creation

Digital inclusion in libraries

Key initiatives, resources and programs being delivered by SLQ and public libraries that

support digital inclusion

State-wide research• Public Libraries in a

Digital Culture

• Libraries as

Creative Spaces

• Advancing Queensland

Public Libraries

Available online soon

Funding

CommunityEngagement

Public Libraries in a Digital Culture• Key findings –

• Strong demand for technological learning

• Physical library environment contributes greatly to user participation and uptake of digital services

• Low levels of public awareness of the library’s non-traditional

services and programs

• The public library is a trusted ‘third place’

Strategic vision for public librariesVISION 2017 - four themes of

engaging, sustainable,

innovative public libraries:

• Connectors – physical

and virtual

• Technology trendsetters

• Incubators of ideas, learning

and innovation

• Creative community spaces

Technology Trendsetter Grants 1NOOSA• first Council in Australia

to introduce the NAO humanoid robot

• robot (Dewey) invites people of all ages and capabilities to enhance their digital skills

through robotics technology programming

BRISBANE• self-contained kits & resources

• library staff deliver electronics, robotics and coding sessions for kids aged 5-12

• Hands-on workshops build digital literacy skills

• Provide children with the opportunity to experience digital technologies through making and exploring

Technology Trendsetter Grants 2MARYBOROUGH• E-Space community

hub for learning, working and creating

• Supports digital skills development and

embracing new technologies.

• Facilitates group learning,

webinars, streaming, e-initiatives,

• enables staff development and community

engagement activities

ISAAC• seamless wireless digital access in all 8 libraries

• improving connectivity and the libraries’ capacity to support access to digital

and e-resources

Technology Trendsetter Grants 3MACKAY

• portaHUB - digital access & training

• works with disadvantaged communities

• transfer skills and increase capacity of

community

• through various digital platforms in a safe

and accessible environment

QUILPIE• Provides free, open wireless access and complementary access to smart

devices

Incubators of ideas, learning & innovation GrantsKURANDA• Go Digital Kuranda established the

enhanced library as an e-learning hub

• Providing digital business incubation

workshops targeted to Kuranda's niche

tourism and artisan small businesses

LOCKYER VALLEY• Make, play and connect session engaged the community in electronics

• Monthly hands-on workshops using a range of products such as MakeyMakey, Ardublock and Boxz Robots,

• providing the community with access to electronic experiences they may not

have been previously exposed to

Supporting coding & robotics

• $300,000 coding and

robotics grants(33 Councils)

• $19,200 Ozobots (24 Councils)

• $28,500 LEGO

Mindstorms (19 Councils)

• Exposure to technology through libraries will ensure a quicker uptake by the community, leading to a better future for all

• Benefit of students being able to share what they are learning at school, in the community, through libraries

Coding & robotics in libraries

• More than 300 Ozobot

workshops held state-wide

in libraries from December

2015 – March 2016

• Included more than 900

participants, primarily

aged 9-16 (but as young

as 6 and old as 90)

Robots for all

Robotics across the state

Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland• Partnership between Queensland

Government and Telstra

• To empower older Queenslanders in basic digital literacy

• To encourage them to use technology

to connect with family and the broader community

• 38 Councils with a library service or Indigenous Knowledge Centre are delivering the program

• Anticipate around 15,000 seniors will participate in training sessions across the state

Everyone Online pilot project• Initiative between SLQ, Bundaberg and

Livingstone Councils

• Lends devices (iPads), including data

• Provides access to learning opportunities, skills development, social connection,

economic participation and internet access

• Targets socio-economically disadvantaged,low digital literacy skills, socially isolated or no internet connection at home

• Engages businesses not using technology as part of day to day operations but

interested in adopting digital solutions

Ideas Box (via Libraries without Borders)

• A portable media centre to

provide vulnerable and isolated

populations access to books,

technology, and information

• Piloting in select Indigenous

communities

• Now located in Kowanyama

• Launch video

Connected Collections &Digitisation• fosters a network of collectors

and heritage professionals

• enables greater discoverability and access to

dispersed collections

• increases connection and engagement with Queensland’s heritage

• First part of project built around social media platforms and capacity to network communities

• Aim to develop engagement opportunities, to promote collections, celebrate significance & value of Queensland’s memory with wider audiences

• In early phase of negotiation & implementation with Councils across 20 Torres Strait Islander communities in Far North QLD

Free access to Lynda.com• More than 3,000 courses and 136,000

video tutorials for learning the latest commercial software, creative and business skills

• Available to all Queenslanders from library computers or desktop, mobile or tablet devices

• Courses cover hundreds of topics including technology, business management, leadership, marketing, multimedia, design and web development

New media toolkit – language revival• Available on SLQ website

• Provides community members, language workers etc.with useful tips, resources and information to incorporateNew Media into community language revival processes and activities

• New media makes it possible for anyone to create, modify and share Indigenous language content with others, using relatively simple tools that are often free or inexpensive

New technology kits for loan• Public libraries can borrow

digital literacy resource kits to support literacy and learning in their community

• Kits include:

• Maker kits

• Gadget kits

• Ozobot kits

• iHealth kits

Improved local history collections• Gympie Library purchased

a new book scanner through grant funding, and now work with their community to share history, and upload images to Historypin

• Historypin helps Queenslanders share their stories and experiences online in a contemporary collection

Storylab – digital storytelling• StoryLab is the art of storytelling

through a variety of fun digital mediums including workshops in film making, gaming, origami art and robotics

• Held twice a year during school holidays onsite at SLQ, workshops include Lego Mindstorm, augmented reality, the art of blogging and much more

The Edge

• Short courses

• Workshops

• Workshop plans

• Resource kits

• Meetups

• Events

• Fabrication Lab

• Recording Studio

• Digital Media Lab

Studio G partnership• One of The Edge’s long-term partners

is Autism Queensland through Studio G

• A post-school transition program that

engages 16-25 year olds with computer gaming and technology, upskilling

Autism Spectrum Disorder participants with technical and creative skills.

• Each week, participants meet at The

Edge, utilising our venue spaces and

facilities and tapping into the network of skilled mentors and facilitators.

Creative Community Computing @ The Edge• Aims to equip Queenslander’s with a PC,

and skills needed to use and maintain it

• Acquire pre-loved computers, put them in

the hands of those who need them

• Teach participants how to dismantle, rebuild, and troubleshoot their machines,

before using open-source software to create their own digital projects

• Best of all, at the end of the program,

participants keep the computers they have been working on

Hack the Evening• Each Thursday The Edge hosts a

meetup for those who want to apply

their skills to new and crazy projects which require a little bit of technical

skill and pizzazz

• Access to power tools, soldering irons and Arduinos and just about

any other gear and materials you can

find hoarded in the basement!

• In return you get to make new things and meet new people

#MadeToday• MadeToday is The Edge’s

inspiration gallery and a way to

answer the question: “What can you do at The Edge?”

• Because really, the answer to

that question is “how curious are you?”, and “how big is your

imagination?”

• All the tools are there; the rest is

up to you!

SLQ provides:

• professional development for

public library staff

• a portal and venue for

innovation and ideas

• grants funding

In 2017 SLQ’s will provide a

forum on digital literacy

Finally

Check out

your local public library

Get our newsletterhttp://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/

Thank you

deb.miles@slq.qld.gov.au