Tech for all : moving beyond the digital divide

Title:

ISBN:

9781538122174

9781538122181

Publication:

Lanham, Maryland : Rowman & Littlefield, [2019]

Physical Description:

xxiv, 191 pages ; 24 cm.

Series:

LITA guides.

Contents:

Foreword / Matthew Kopel -- Introduction: Digital equity in libraries / Lauren Comito -- Part I: Identifying the problem. Fund all the things : finding money to do great work / Erica Freudenberger -- Part II: Physical access. Technology on the border : bringing STEAM-based learning and digital technologies to Southern Arizona / Emily Scherer ; Linux laptops for libraries / Alex Lent ; Shifting focus toward imminent needs : the importance of flexibility in digital literacy training to teens within the maker movement / Ricci Yuhico -- Part III: Training. Cracking the code : the IMLS/Mozilla web literacy for library staff project / Davis Erin Anderson ; You can do I.T. : raising tech confidence and competencies in rural Texas / Carson Block, Cindy Fisher, and Henry Stokes ; Experiment, learn, respond at the Salt Lake City Public Library : the first year of the tech league initiative / Tommy Hamby, Shauna Edson, and Elaine Stehel -- Part IV: Makerspaces. The best things made in a makerspace aren't the physical ones / Steve Teeri ; Library makerspaces and interest-based learning as tools for digital equity / Lyndsey Runyan ; Improving education with library STEM programs and access to new technologies / Maria Mucino -- Part V: Technology for employment and business. Evolution of community services in Saint Paul / Rebecca Ryan and Pang Yang ; Creative opportunity for all : makerspaces for youth and adult workforce populations in an urban setting / Amanda Feist, Xenia Hernández, and Marika Stoloch ; Learning from our community : using an assessment tool to meet patrons at the point of need / Amy Honisett, Gloria Jacobs, Judy Anderson, Jill Castek, Cindy Gibson, and Matthew Timberlake.

Abstract:

"This book examines how the unequal distribution of resources between communities can limit access to emerging technologies. It gives real world examples of libraries going the extra mile to bring more than just email access to their communities, regardless of economic status or geographic distribution"-- Provided by publisher.

Subject Term:

Public access computers in libraries.

Internet access for library users.

Makerspaces in libraries.

Digital divide.

Computer literacy.

Internet literacy.

Computer literacy. (OCoLC)fst00872252

Digital divide. (OCoLC)fst00893667

Internet access for library users. (OCoLC)fst00977210

Internet literacy. (OCoLC)fst00977271

Makerspaces in libraries. (OCoLC)fst01940231

Public access computers in libraries. (OCoLC)fst01081973

Local Subject:

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE COLLECTION

Added Author:

Comito, Lauren

Other Format:

Online version: Tech for all Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield, [2018] 9781538122198 (DLC) 2018053082

Available:

Library	Call Number	Material Type	Status
Searching... State Library of Oregon	025.50285 Tech	4-Week Loan	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

How can libraries ensure that patrons from all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds have access to advanced technology training and hardware? Everyone knows libraries provide access to computers and the internet for day to day use, but many libraries have gone beyond those basic services. Makerspaces and advanced tech training are often not equitably distributed between differing communities. The digital divide is still very real, and by not providing equal access to maker spaces and other similar services libraries may be unintentionally contributing to that divide. This book examines how the unequal distribution of resources between communities can limit access to emerging technologies. Chapters from librarians across the country give real world examples of libraries going the extra mile to bring more than just email access to their communities, regardless of economic status or geographic distribution. You'll find practical plans put forward by working professionals who have sought pragmatic solutions to issues of digital literacy. Access is a through line in this work as people look at the larger ideas of access as inclusive of training, diverse technologies, and the time and space to make genuine growth in tech literacy. Chapters include: -working with immigrants, -low cost laptops for library use, -deep dives into the underpinnings of the maker movement, and -developing community-focused technology training. After reading this book, librarians should have practical ideas to address the issue of equity in access to emerging technologies in their own communities.

Author Notes

Lauren Comito has been working to level the playing field for New York City library users for over a decade. Currently the Neighborhood Library Supervisor at the Mill Basin Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, in her previous work as the Job & Business Academy Manager at Queens Library she developed a team that has helped hundreds of people find employment opportunities. She created the Where in Queens mobile website as a development on the ideas put forth by ZenDesk and LinkSF, with whom she laid the groundwork for a partnership while she was presenting at SXSW Interactive. Lauren has logged hundreds of hours training people how to use technology to improve their lives and job opportunities. Lauren is also very invested in the Library ecosystem serving in numerous capacities in ALA (Council, Committee on Library Advocacy) and in the New York Library Association (President Leadership & Management Section, Chair of the Communication Committee). She is the Chair of the Board of Urban Librarians Unite as well as being a founding member of the org. She started ULU's Urban Librarians Conference and has organized this highly regarded conference for four years with speakers and attendees from across the country. Lauren Comito was awarded a Library Journal Mover & Shaker award for her work with tech training and job readiness. Her workgroup received the 2015 Gale Cengage Award for Excellence in Reference & Adult Library Services for the Where in Queens project. She is regularly asked to speak at regional and national conferences on topics of tech, tech training, women in leadership, cross generational management, and library advocacy.

Summary:

Reviews (2)

Choice Review

This short but sweeping edited volume, the latest title in the well-established "LITA Guide" series, contextualizes and expands on access as a concept to help evaluate the increasing digital service model of libraries. The chapters collectively demystify technology adoption and training in the context of patron-facing services, with detailed and helpful case studies responding directly to diverse community needs. Of particular note for their uniqueness and utility to practitioners are the contributions on identifying funding, and designing and implementing an assessment of patron digital problem solving skills. Although the case studies primarily document ongoing work in public libraries, the essays are easily adapted to other library contexts, making this collection a particularly valuable contribution to the profession. The editor has made a thoughtful selection of texts collectively emphasizing that providing truly equitable access requires librarians not only to understand their communities but to engage in their own continual professional development around digital literacies. Summing Up: Recommended. Professionals. --Melissa Gasparotto, New York Public Library Research Libraries

Library Journal Review

Librarians have gone above and beyond in combating the digital divide, or unequal access to technology, but there's still a long way to go. Comito (Brooklyn P.L.; LJ Mover & Shaker, 2015) has compiled an exceptional collection of lively essays highlighting libraries of all sizes across the United States that are attempting to bring their communities closer to digital equity, from helping patrons participate in online video interviews to giving them spaces to code. Short introductions to each section allow readers to choose the pieces that are most relevant to them. Contributors cover physical access, training, Maker spaces, and technology for employment and business and discuss both practical and aspirational program options. Though there is a piece on seeking funding, many readers may wish for more information about finding additional funding options once a program begins to cover materials cost. VERDICT While this volume is focused on the challenges facing public libraries, it offers insight to academic librarians as well. Essential for public libraries; highly recommended for academic and state libraries.--Candice Kail, Columbia Univ. Libs., New York