2 Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Marginalised Citizens in Developing Nations
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Syeda Hina Shahid
Shahid, Syeda Hina Assistant Professor, Department of Learning Technologies, Design & School Library Media, Towson University, Maryland US. Syeda holds a PhD from the University of Sheffield, UK, and was formerly employed at the Institute of Information Management, University of the Punjab, Pakistan. Her research interests focus on examining information literacy instruction and related literacies and the use of technology tools and innovative instructional methods through a qualitative research lens. Her recent postdoctoral research at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, concentrated on investigating scholarly misconduct practices and the need for a critical information literacy framework. She has served on various national and international forums, including the Association for Information Science and Technology. She is a member of the Editorial Board of renowned journals of the field including
Libri and has published peer reviewed articles in prominent journals in library and information science.Email:
sshahid@towson.edu Aslam, Tabassum Academic Librarian, Teaching and Research Resource Centres, Lahore School of Economics, Punjab, Pakistan. Tabassum is pursuing a PhD at the Institute of Information Management, University of the Punjab, Pakistan. Her research interests encompass a broad spectrum of information literacy and sub-literacies, including AI and data literacy, digital literacy, media literacy, financial literacy, as well as information behaviour and practices. Her doctoral research is focused on financial information literacy and she presented a research paper at the International Conference on Information Literacy in 2022 in South Africa. Tabassum actively participated in the Research on Digital Media Literacy (ReDMIL) 2022 doctoral summer school organised by the Groupe de Recherche en Médiation des Savoirs/Knowledge Mediation Research Group at the Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium. She and her research team received a prestigious grant from Purdue University’s Institute of Information Literacy to support their innovative research on the perceived usefulness and readiness of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving health information literacy among women in South Asia.
Email:
tabassum@lahoreschool.edu.pk Mahmood, Munazza Chief Librarian, Kinnaird College of Women University, Lahore, Pakistan. Munazza completed her Master of Philosophy degree from the Institute of Information Management, University of the Punjab, Pakistan, with an outstanding academic excellence. With over twenty years of professional experience, she serves as the Chief Librarian of Kinnaird College, a prestigious academic institution in Pakistan. She has been awarded a certificate of appreciation at the national level for her remarkable contributions to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4, Quality Education, and SDG 5, Gender Equality. Munazza has published quality research articles in prominent journals of library and information science. Her unwavering commitment to inclusive education, accessibility, and innovative library practices has greatly enhanced the academic and social impact of her institution.
Email:
munazza.mahmood@kinnaird.edu.pk
Abstract
This chapter highlights the importance of creating awareness among library stakeholders of the significance of digital information literacy skills for marginalised people in society and the role that information professionals and libraries play in providing support for users in attaining such skills. Becoming digitally literate is required of every individual, and is especially important for people with special needs, so that they might participate fully in society and overcome any social and economic barriers. People with limited digital literacy skills will struggle to cope in today’s technology-driven society. The digital divide refers to the increasing gap between the privileged who have access to information and communications technology (ICT) and the disadvantaged who have limited access. Digital information literacy skills have the potential to bridge the gap. The chapter focuses on the prevailing situation in Pakistan as a developing country, examines the challenges faced by marginalised people in society in accessing ICT, identifies the elements required for an inclusive library and discusses the roles of stakeholders including libraries, library schools, professional organisations and information professionals.
Abstract
This chapter highlights the importance of creating awareness among library stakeholders of the significance of digital information literacy skills for marginalised people in society and the role that information professionals and libraries play in providing support for users in attaining such skills. Becoming digitally literate is required of every individual, and is especially important for people with special needs, so that they might participate fully in society and overcome any social and economic barriers. People with limited digital literacy skills will struggle to cope in today’s technology-driven society. The digital divide refers to the increasing gap between the privileged who have access to information and communications technology (ICT) and the disadvantaged who have limited access. Digital information literacy skills have the potential to bridge the gap. The chapter focuses on the prevailing situation in Pakistan as a developing country, examines the challenges faced by marginalised people in society in accessing ICT, identifies the elements required for an inclusive library and discusses the roles of stakeholders including libraries, library schools, professional organisations and information professionals.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- About IFLA IX
- Preface 1
- 1 Digital Literacy: An Overview and Introduction 7
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Part I Public and School Libraries Promote Digital Literacy through Digital Access and Skills Building
- 2 Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Marginalised Citizens in Developing Nations 29
- 3 Information Literacy in the Digital Age: Building Competencies Across the Learning Continuum 55
- 4 Fostering Digital Literacy in India: Government Initiatives and Digital Inclusion 69
- 5 Engaging Young People as Readers: Use of Social Media and Digital Literacy 93
- 6 The Library as Lifeline: Digital Inclusion in Post-Pandemic Philadelphia 113
- 7 Empowering Librarians and Learners: Building a Supportive Network for Teaching and Learning 128
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Part II Academic Libraries Take Novel Approaches to Advance Digital Skills
- 8 Transforming the Student Experience in Singapore Polytechnic Libraries Through a Collaborative Digital Literacy Framework 143
- 9 Supporting Digital Dexterity in Academic Library Communities Across Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand 162
- 10 Developing Student Digital Literacies Through Insights from Educators and Employers 180
- 11 Digital Literacy in Latin America: Pre- and Post-COVID-19 197
- 12 The Venn of Project Research: A Framework for Librarians and Students Tackling Real-World Challenges 215
- 13 Enhancing Student Transliteracy Through Archives: Designing an OER for Primary Source Mastery 230
- 14 Misinformation Literacy: Promoting Lifelong Ethical Digital Citizenship 246
- 15 Teaching Information Literacy to Would-Be Teachers 259
- 16 The Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Literacy at the University of Queensland 275
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Part III The Influence of Digital Information
- 17 Be Not Afraid of a Meme: Developing Visual and Media Literacy Skills 291
- 18 Digital Health Literacy: An Evolving Picture 308
- 19 Combating Fake News: School Librarians and Digital and Visual Literacy 330
- 20 A News Literacy Curriculum Toolkit 349
- 21 Digital Learning and Digital Dilemmas 364
- 22 Digital Health Literacy: Improving Health Outcomes 383
- 23 Digital Literacy: Necessary but Not Sufficient for Learning 401
- Contributors 417
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- About IFLA IX
- Preface 1
- 1 Digital Literacy: An Overview and Introduction 7
-
Part I Public and School Libraries Promote Digital Literacy through Digital Access and Skills Building
- 2 Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Marginalised Citizens in Developing Nations 29
- 3 Information Literacy in the Digital Age: Building Competencies Across the Learning Continuum 55
- 4 Fostering Digital Literacy in India: Government Initiatives and Digital Inclusion 69
- 5 Engaging Young People as Readers: Use of Social Media and Digital Literacy 93
- 6 The Library as Lifeline: Digital Inclusion in Post-Pandemic Philadelphia 113
- 7 Empowering Librarians and Learners: Building a Supportive Network for Teaching and Learning 128
-
Part II Academic Libraries Take Novel Approaches to Advance Digital Skills
- 8 Transforming the Student Experience in Singapore Polytechnic Libraries Through a Collaborative Digital Literacy Framework 143
- 9 Supporting Digital Dexterity in Academic Library Communities Across Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand 162
- 10 Developing Student Digital Literacies Through Insights from Educators and Employers 180
- 11 Digital Literacy in Latin America: Pre- and Post-COVID-19 197
- 12 The Venn of Project Research: A Framework for Librarians and Students Tackling Real-World Challenges 215
- 13 Enhancing Student Transliteracy Through Archives: Designing an OER for Primary Source Mastery 230
- 14 Misinformation Literacy: Promoting Lifelong Ethical Digital Citizenship 246
- 15 Teaching Information Literacy to Would-Be Teachers 259
- 16 The Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Literacy at the University of Queensland 275
-
Part III The Influence of Digital Information
- 17 Be Not Afraid of a Meme: Developing Visual and Media Literacy Skills 291
- 18 Digital Health Literacy: An Evolving Picture 308
- 19 Combating Fake News: School Librarians and Digital and Visual Literacy 330
- 20 A News Literacy Curriculum Toolkit 349
- 21 Digital Learning and Digital Dilemmas 364
- 22 Digital Health Literacy: Improving Health Outcomes 383
- 23 Digital Literacy: Necessary but Not Sufficient for Learning 401
- Contributors 417
