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6 The Library as Lifeline: Digital Inclusion in Post-Pandemic Philadelphia

  • David Cooper Moore

    Moore, David Cooper

    Digital and media literacy consultant and scholar/practitioner based in Philadelphia, PA, US. He currently provides digital literacy training and support to staff at the Free Library of Philadelphia. He is the author of numerous essays for scholarly and professional publications on digital, media, and information literacy, and is the co-author of the book Discovering Media Literacy: Teaching Digital Media and Popular Culture in Elementary School.

    Email: dmoore1@gmail.com
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Libraries Empowering Society through Digital Literacy
This chapter is in the book Libraries Empowering Society through Digital Literacy

Abstract

While libraries have traditionally helped users find answers to problems and books to read, today’s citizens require additional resources and assistance: convenient, low-cost access to digital devices including computers, tablets, and/or smartphones; basic fluency in using technological tools; and the ability to evaluate the information they find from online information sources. This chapter describes how the city of Philadelphia is achieving the goal of expanding digital access and supporting digital literacy by leveraging the resources of multiple city agencies, including over fifty branch libraries. Digital navigation professionals, called Digital Resource Specialists, are embedded in branch libraries where library users can establish personal connections with staff whose backgrounds and values most closely reflect those of the community members served. The library system’s approach recognizes the importance of identifying situation-based information needs and providing an on-staff navigator who helps users acquire the necessary skills to survive and thrive in an increasingly complex and digital world. Using a collaborative approach to bring together multiple municipal agencies, libraries can accelerate their response to providing effective digital support.

Abstract

While libraries have traditionally helped users find answers to problems and books to read, today’s citizens require additional resources and assistance: convenient, low-cost access to digital devices including computers, tablets, and/or smartphones; basic fluency in using technological tools; and the ability to evaluate the information they find from online information sources. This chapter describes how the city of Philadelphia is achieving the goal of expanding digital access and supporting digital literacy by leveraging the resources of multiple city agencies, including over fifty branch libraries. Digital navigation professionals, called Digital Resource Specialists, are embedded in branch libraries where library users can establish personal connections with staff whose backgrounds and values most closely reflect those of the community members served. The library system’s approach recognizes the importance of identifying situation-based information needs and providing an on-staff navigator who helps users acquire the necessary skills to survive and thrive in an increasingly complex and digital world. Using a collaborative approach to bring together multiple municipal agencies, libraries can accelerate their response to providing effective digital support.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. About IFLA IX
  4. Preface 1
  5. 1 Digital Literacy: An Overview and Introduction 7
  6. Part I Public and School Libraries Promote Digital Literacy through Digital Access and Skills Building
  7. 2 Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Marginalised Citizens in Developing Nations 29
  8. 3 Information Literacy in the Digital Age: Building Competencies Across the Learning Continuum 55
  9. 4 Fostering Digital Literacy in India: Government Initiatives and Digital Inclusion 69
  10. 5 Engaging Young People as Readers: Use of Social Media and Digital Literacy 93
  11. 6 The Library as Lifeline: Digital Inclusion in Post-Pandemic Philadelphia 113
  12. 7 Empowering Librarians and Learners: Building a Supportive Network for Teaching and Learning 128
  13. Part II Academic Libraries Take Novel Approaches to Advance Digital Skills
  14. 8 Transforming the Student Experience in Singapore Polytechnic Libraries Through a Collaborative Digital Literacy Framework 143
  15. 9 Supporting Digital Dexterity in Academic Library Communities Across Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand 162
  16. 10 Developing Student Digital Literacies Through Insights from Educators and Employers 180
  17. 11 Digital Literacy in Latin America: Pre- and Post-COVID-19 197
  18. 12 The Venn of Project Research: A Framework for Librarians and Students Tackling Real-World Challenges 215
  19. 13 Enhancing Student Transliteracy Through Archives: Designing an OER for Primary Source Mastery 230
  20. 14 Misinformation Literacy: Promoting Lifelong Ethical Digital Citizenship 246
  21. 15 Teaching Information Literacy to Would-Be Teachers 259
  22. 16 The Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Literacy at the University of Queensland 275
  23. Part III The Influence of Digital Information
  24. 17 Be Not Afraid of a Meme: Developing Visual and Media Literacy Skills 291
  25. 18 Digital Health Literacy: An Evolving Picture 308
  26. 19 Combating Fake News: School Librarians and Digital and Visual Literacy 330
  27. 20 A News Literacy Curriculum Toolkit 349
  28. 21 Digital Learning and Digital Dilemmas 364
  29. 22 Digital Health Literacy: Improving Health Outcomes 383
  30. 23 Digital Literacy: Necessary but Not Sufficient for Learning 401
  31. Contributors 417
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110533583-007

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. About IFLA IX
  4. Preface 1
  5. 1 Digital Literacy: An Overview and Introduction 7
  6. Part I Public and School Libraries Promote Digital Literacy through Digital Access and Skills Building
  7. 2 Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Marginalised Citizens in Developing Nations 29
  8. 3 Information Literacy in the Digital Age: Building Competencies Across the Learning Continuum 55
  9. 4 Fostering Digital Literacy in India: Government Initiatives and Digital Inclusion 69
  10. 5 Engaging Young People as Readers: Use of Social Media and Digital Literacy 93
  11. 6 The Library as Lifeline: Digital Inclusion in Post-Pandemic Philadelphia 113
  12. 7 Empowering Librarians and Learners: Building a Supportive Network for Teaching and Learning 128
  13. Part II Academic Libraries Take Novel Approaches to Advance Digital Skills
  14. 8 Transforming the Student Experience in Singapore Polytechnic Libraries Through a Collaborative Digital Literacy Framework 143
  15. 9 Supporting Digital Dexterity in Academic Library Communities Across Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand 162
  16. 10 Developing Student Digital Literacies Through Insights from Educators and Employers 180
  17. 11 Digital Literacy in Latin America: Pre- and Post-COVID-19 197
  18. 12 The Venn of Project Research: A Framework for Librarians and Students Tackling Real-World Challenges 215
  19. 13 Enhancing Student Transliteracy Through Archives: Designing an OER for Primary Source Mastery 230
  20. 14 Misinformation Literacy: Promoting Lifelong Ethical Digital Citizenship 246
  21. 15 Teaching Information Literacy to Would-Be Teachers 259
  22. 16 The Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Literacy at the University of Queensland 275
  23. Part III The Influence of Digital Information
  24. 17 Be Not Afraid of a Meme: Developing Visual and Media Literacy Skills 291
  25. 18 Digital Health Literacy: An Evolving Picture 308
  26. 19 Combating Fake News: School Librarians and Digital and Visual Literacy 330
  27. 20 A News Literacy Curriculum Toolkit 349
  28. 21 Digital Learning and Digital Dilemmas 364
  29. 22 Digital Health Literacy: Improving Health Outcomes 383
  30. 23 Digital Literacy: Necessary but Not Sufficient for Learning 401
  31. Contributors 417
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