(10 November 2015) With the drive to deliver more and more government services online, libraries are also recognising their role in helping customers to become assured and competent users of digital services.
The priorities and issues for libraries and cultural institutions will be discussed at a one day seminar: Linked Up, Loud and Literate: Libraries Enabling Digital Citizenship, to be held at the National Library in Wellington on Thursday 12 November.
More and more of our interactions – with friends, retailers, regulators and government – take place online. Libraries are playing an important role in ensuring that the public have the skills and confidence required to engage online.
“We offer free wifi and internet access and have librarians on hand to help with computers and access to the resources we collect and make available,” says the National Librarian Bill Macnaught. “We are already providing informal education and digital skills to many people.”
“There are clear efficiencies in turning to digital delivery for government services, but we need to ensure that community members keep pace with the change. There is untapped potential for libraries as public, trusted and resource-rich communities to help people upskill in this way.”
“This is a rare opportunity for thinkers in government policy, libraries, schools and cultural institutions to combine forces and consider how we can empower our constituents to be confident, capable and engaged citizens online,” says Bill.
The seminar is organised by the National and State Libraries Australasia. Speakers include:
• Colin MacDonald, Government Chief Information Officer and Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs
• Sue McKerracher, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Library and Information Association
• Courtney Johnston, Director, Dowse Art Museum,
• Kevin Lavery, Chief Executive Officer, Wellington City Council
• Elaine Ng, Chief Executive Officer, National Library Board of Singapore.
Business.scoop has the announcement.
