Cummings LIBR 200 Term Paper

Running head: CUMMINGS PUBLIC LIBRARIES PROVIDING ACCESS

Public Libraries: Providing Access to the Digital World

Darcy Cummings

LIBR 200-06

December 9, 2013

San Jose State University

CUMMINGS PUBLIC LIBRARIES PROVIDING ACCESS

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the issues of the digital divide and digital literacy

in relation to the public library. Public libraries offer numerous classes, training and

access to digital technologies. The digital divide between portions of society without

access or the skills to use digital technology and portions with the access and skills are

discussed in their relation to how the public library system addresses these issues. Also

discussed are challenges faced by public libraries in their efforts to provide access and

literacy training.

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Introduction

With the advent of the Internet in the early 1990s, the increasing importance of

computers and the Internet in society became vividly apparent. This importance has only

grown in relevance to everyday life in our society. The ability to use digital technology

is now just as important as simply having access to a computer or the Internet. These

skills are referred to as “digital literacy” and are now a core component of necessary

skills to succeed in society. Cullen and Cobb (2011) wrote that: “living in a digital age

requires adults to be capable of tasks beyond simply reading, such as using a computer or

other technology to complete day-to-day tasks” (p. 25). What also became apparent was

that not all parts of society were able to access a computer or the Internet and had the

skills and knowledge to use these technologies. This lack of access or knowledge and the

skills to use digital technology meant that those without it were no longer fully

participating members of society. West (2011) concurred, saying, “having a basic

understanding of how to operate a computer and interact with a web page is a skill that is

required in American society” (p. xxviii). With the rapid growth of digital technology

and its pervasive presence in society, these gaps between those able to access and use

digital technology and those who could not widened.

Public libraries, more and more, began addressing this divide in society.

McShane (2011) stated: “the role of public libraries in enhancing literacy, access to

information and civic engagement, through the expert oversight of librarians, has been

consistently advocated as a solution to emerging social problems” (p. 383). The public

library has now become synonymous with free public computer and Internet access.

Nishi (2011) wrote “today, almost all public library branches offer visitors free access to

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computers and the Internet, thanks to a sustained effort by federal, state, and local

governments; private philanthropy; and the work of librarians” (p. 37). Public libraries

have also expanded beyond mere access and now include formal and informal technology

and life skills classes and instruction.

Public libraries have historically been access points to information: this is not any

different from what libraries have been doing for centuries, except that the medium and

type of information being accessed has shifted to what is relevant in current society.

McShane (2011) paraphrased the American Library Association (ALA) from 1989:

“libraries were promoted as key institutions for the continuous updating of information

resources and skills necessary for effective workforce participation, civic engagement

and personal management” (p. 385). Taylor, Jaeger, McDermott, Kodama and Bertot

(2012) elaborated: “library progression is ceaseless… libraries are adapting and

redefining their vision. This evolution involves not only a shift in services to align with

current economic and technological tides but also a conscious attempt to stay true to their

core conviction” (p. 192).

Discussion

History

The term “digital divide” was coined in the early 1990s. Initially this term stood

solely for those members of society that had access to computers and the Internet and

those who did not. However, the term rapidly became about more than just access: it

evolved to incorporate digital literacy, in other words, the skills and knowledge to use

digital technology. As Warschauer (2010) explained:

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The term was originally used to refer to inequality in physical access, as

represented by home ownership of a computer or having an Internet account.

Soon thereafter, people began to include other factors that enabled people to

effectively use new technology, such as skills, knowledge, and social support. (p.

1551)

Often referred to as underserved populations, there are specific demographic

groups who are most affected by the digital divide. Age, ethnicity, income, geography

and education are some of the most prominent factors separating those who are adversely

affected by the digital divide from those who are not (Warschauer, 2010, p. 1553).

Public libraries have long been arbiters of information and have evolved to meet the

changing information needs of their communities, because of this libraries now provide

key information regarding digital technology to their patrons.

The Role of Public Libraries

Historically, public libraries have been access points to information for the

communities they serve. In the United States they have become a democratic cornerstone

of our society by providing equal access to information for all (Swan, Grimes, Owens,

Vese, Miller, Arroyo, Craig, Dorinski, Freeman, Isaac, O’Shea, & Scotto, 2013, p. 10).

As stated in the Library Bill of Rights (1996):

Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information,

and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. . . . A

person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin,

age, background, or views. (Policies I & V)

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Due to this historical and ethical commitment of public libraries, they are ideally

situated in addressing the issues of the digital divide. The Gates Foundation (n.d.)

reaffirmed this, saying: “with their existing infrastructure, dedicated staff, and mission to

connect individuals to information, libraries are uniquely suited to offering public

Internet access and training to people who would otherwise be left behind in the digital

world” (The Opportunity section, para. 1). The two most important factors that make

public libraries so adept at addressing the digital divide are the trained library staff and

preexisting technological infrastructure. Chaudhuri and Flamm (2006) stated: “public

libraries are also free, and the overwhelming majority- if not all of them- offers [sic]

Internet access. In other words, the backbone infrastructure for public Internet service

provision already exists through them” (p. 251-253).

According to Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study (PLFTAS) by

the American Library Association (2012), 41% of public libraries in urban communities,

60% of public libraries in suburban communities and 70% of public libraries in rural

communities reported being the only free and public access to Internet in those

communities (p. 19). In a society where day-to-day activities are increasingly becoming

performed via the Internet, having access to the Internet is crucial for being a

participating member of society (Cullen & Cobb, 2011, p. 25). As Nishi (2011) stated:

“in a world where it is almost impossible to succeed without the Internet, the public

library is often the only place in a community where people can get online and receive

the training they need to benefit from opportunities online” (p. 36). Kinney (2010) wrote:

“a review of the utilization of public library computers and Internet capabilities

demonstrates that people who belong to groups characterized as digitally disadvantaged

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do tend to use library computers more frequently… and are more likely to depend on the

library for access” (p. 106).

The digitally disadvantaged. The digital division tends to fall along lines of

race, income, education, age and geography. According to a Pew Internet & American

Life Study (Pew Report) written by Zickuh, Rainie and Purcell (2013) “for almost all of

the library resources we asked about, African-Americans and Hispanics are significantly

more likely than whites to consider them ‘very important’ to the community” (p. 7). For

example, the Pew Report (2013) found that 92 % of African-Americans and 86% of

Hispanics compared to 72% of white people considered free Internet access to be “very

important” (p. 36). Another interesting statistic found by the Pew Report (2013) had to

do with how often patrons got help from library staff: “minorities are more likely than

whites to say they frequently or sometimes get help, and members of poorer households

are more likely than members of richer households to say they get help” (p. 25). A U.S.

Census Bureau report (2013) found that: “in 2011, 76.2 percent of non-Hispanic White

households and 82.7 percent of Asian household reported Internet use at home, compared

with 58.3 percent of Hispanic households and 56.9 percent of Black households” (p. 2).

The U.S. Census Bureau report (2013) found that household Internet use

increased with “educational attainment” (p. 4). The report showed that households with

less than a high school degree have a 36.9 percent average of home Internet use

compared to 89.9 percent average of households with a bachelor’s degree or higher (p. 4).

For household Internet use according to age the percentages found were: 75.9 percent for

households under thirty-five years, 81.9 percent for households between the ages of

thirty-five and forty-four, 77.9 percent for households between the ages of forty-five and

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fifty-five and 61.7 percent for households above the age of fifty-five (U.S. Census

Bureau, 2013, p. 4). Home ownership of a computer according to income follows a

similar trend to that of education with 56.7 percent of individuals earning less than

$25,000 a year owning a computer compared to 92.1 percent of individuals earning

$50,000 to $99,999 a year (US Census Bureau, 2013, p. 5). Geographically, “the South

stands out for having consistently high percentages of individuals with no connectivity”

(US Census Burearu, 2013, p. 10). The results of both the U.S. Census Bureau report and

the Pew Report display the demographics of the digital divide in the United States. This

research showed that certain demographics were more negatively impacted including

racial minorities, the elderly (fifty-five and above), the less educated (most notably those

with less than a high school degree), lower income households (specifically households

earning $25,000 or less a year) and rural communities.

Public library public access computers and Internet use. An important

measure of the affect of public access computers and the Internet on people’s lives is

what library patrons use this access for- particularly in public libraries as the only access

some people have to a computer or the Internet. According to the Pew Report (2013)

which surveyed Americans ages 16 and older on what they used computers or Internet

access in public libraries for in the past twelve months, 66% “did research for school or

work”, 54% “used email”, 47% “got health information”, 41% “visited government

websites or got information about government services”, 36% “looked for jobs or applied

for jobs online”, 35% “visited social networking sites”, 16% “paid bills or did online

banking” and 16% “took an online class or completed and online certification program”

(p. 6-7). These are all activities that equate to being a functional member of society and

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support the education, social participation, health, employment and civic involvement of

the community (Jaeger, Bertot, Thompson & Decoster, 2012, p. 3). In addition, many of

these services are increasingly available only online or require access to the Internet and a

computer to find, apply for and utilize. Nishi (2011) underscored this by saying:

The widespread use of these services by people of varying age, income, and

experience is an indication of the unique role that public libraries play in the

evolving digital landscape. . . . But for libraries, millions of American would not

have reliable Internet access in a digital age when a connection often is needed to

complete school assignments, apply for jobs, or secure government services. (p.

37)

Digital literacy and public library services. However, as stated previously, the

digital divide is not simply about access. It is also about digital literacy. Gerding (2011)

stated: “libraries are community centers…. We [libraries] now support the vital need for

digital literacy, often being the only place with free public computer and Internet access

and, moreover, free technology training” (p. 43). This type of training is essential for full

participation in today’s society. As Jaeger, et al. (2012) explained: “technology has

become an irreducible component of modern life, and its presence and use has significant

impact on an individual’s ability to fully engage in society generally” (p. 3). Public

libraries are evolving and adapting to help with these information needs. According to

the PLFTAS Report (2012) “more than 90 percent of public libraries now offer formal or

informal technology training” (p. 6).

As the needs of the communities they serve change, so do the services rendered

by public libraries. These needs also vary by user: some patrons still need basic

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computer skills training, whereas others need assistance with more advanced digital

technology from social media to digital content creation. Nishi (2011) elaborated:

“public libraries stand out as one of the few community institutions that can address the

computing and information needs of all kinds of users” (p. 37). More importantly, it is

the added support of a trained professional, the librarian and library staff members, to

help with these skills either through a formal class or on a needs based one-on-one

situation. A report funded primarily by the Gates Foundation (2010) corroborated this by

stating: “the essential, unique ingredient of public access in libraries is the trained

librarian who can provide support and assistance” (Toward Equality of Access, p. 25).

The Pew Report (2013) stated that 50% of people reporting to have used a public library

in the past year “say they visit to get help from a librarian” (p. 23) and 80% responded

that “it is ‘very important’ to the community for libraries to have librarians available to

help people find information they need” (p. 42).

The PLFTAS Report (2012) broke down the percentages of formal technology

training classes that public libraries offer their communities: 87% offer “general

computer skills”, 73.3% offer “general software use”, 86.5% offer “general internet use”,

75.6% offer “general online/web searching”, 53.2% offer “using online databases”,

29.7% offer “accessing online government information”, 49.2% offer “accessing online

job-seeking and career-related information”, 23.9% offer “accessing online health and

wellness information” and 39.4% offer classes on “social media” (p. 26). The PLFTAS

Report goes on to state:

Public libraries are critical providers of employment and e-government services,

resources, and support. Libraries report they provide a number of resources and

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services to assist individuals seeking employment, applying for jobs, and

interacting with government agencies. These service roles are in high demand as

government agencies and employers increasingly require online interactions.

These services are related to the need to build patrons’ digital literacy skill levels.

(p. 29)

These percentages do not include any informal assistance that librarians provide to their

patrons. According to Nishi (2011): “libraries have been a silent partner in workforce

development, educational achievement, health information delivery, and bringing

government services to citizens” (p. 39).

Challenges

Public libraries face many challenges, but the most preeminent challenge is

funding (Toward Equality of Access, n.d., p. 26). Funding affects almost all other

challenges faced by public libraries: staffing and training of staff, technology upgrades,

collections development, facilities management and programming (PFLTAS, 2012).

Twenty-three states reported cuts to state funding in 2012 for public libraries with

California cutting all funding for the 2012-2013 budget (PFLTAS, 2012, p. 16). The

PLFTAS report stated that: “ a majority of libraries (77.9 percent) report cost factors as

one of the major challenges in maintaining, sustaining, and enhancing their public access

technology infrastructure” (p. 20). Essentially, even though demand for additional library

services and library technology usage had increased, a majority of libraries are faced with

a reduction in operating funds.

Staffing. Swan, et al., (2013) stated that between the years 2008 and 2010 there

was an overall decrease in staffing of 3.9% (p. 11), with public libraries in cities losing

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5.2% of their staff and suburban public libraries losing 4.1% (p. 34). The same study

found that 99% of urban public libraries have librarians on staff with an ALA-MLIS

degree compared to just 23.9% of rural libraries (p. 37). A study by Bertot and Davis

(2006) found that “funds and staffing- both number of staff and their ability to gain

access to technology-based training- are the two factors that contribute most significantly

to the quality of public access computing and Internet access within public libraries” (p.

38). Another side to understaffed libraries is operating hours and how the lack of

operating hours affects the public’s ability to visit a library. According those surveyed in

the Pew Report (2013): “several said that budget cutbacks led their local libraries to scale

back their hours, to the point that it was difficult to find time to stop by- especially when

libraries didn’t have hours in the evenings or on weekends” (p. 31).

A sufficient number of library staff members is certainly important for addressing

patron needs, but staff training, specifically technology training, is equally important. In

a report funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services, Becker, Crandall,

Fisher, Blakewood, Kinney and Sauve (2011) wrote: “lack of funding for staff training is

a significant barrier for public library technology access. As Internet technologies

change, library staff report needing to receive updated training” (p. 15). Digital

technologies are rapidly advancing and in order for library staff to be able to offer

relevant training and assistance to patrons, they must be educated and trained themselves.

As Gerding (2011) stated: “providing library technology training may appear to be a role

shift; however, technology training supports a fundamental library purpose of connecting

people and knowledge” (p. 43).

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Technology. Budget reductions immensely impact a public library’s ability to

maintain their technology and public access computers (PLFTAS, 2012, p. 14). Swan et

al. (2013) reported that for every 5,000 people public libraries are able to provide 4.1

computers nationally (p. 10); however, in urban public libraries that number is reduced to

3.6 (p. 31). The same survey also reported that for every 1,000 visits there are 234.1

computer uses nationally and 243.7 uses in urban public libraries (p. 32). The PLFTAS

Report stated: “as libraries seek to offer high-demand services that rely on a strong

technology infrastructure… their inability to secure stable funding for technology

negatively affects their ability to adhere to public access workstation replacement

schedules” (p. 15). The PLFTAS Report also found that:

65.4 percent of libraries report having insufficient public access

Internetworkstations [sic] to meet patrons’ needs…. Urban libraries continue to

face the greatest challenge… 86.9 percent reported insufficient numbers, followed

by 66.5 percent of suburban libraries, and 57.7 percent of rural libraries. (p. 21)

Issues of technology upgrades also focus on the internal wiring to add more

computers and the broadband to support increased Internet access from more computers

and wireless users. Becker, et al. (2011) noted that “75 percent of libraries reported that

wireless was added without increasing purchased bandwidth, further stressing networks

that the majority of libraries already reported were insufficient for meeting patron

demand some or all of the time” (14). Mandel, Bishop, McClure, Bertot and Jaeger

(2010) stated that: “the ability of U.S. public libraries to provide free public internet

access and internet-enabled services to American communities is impacted by the speed

and bandwidth of the libraries’ internet connections” (p. 281). This report went on to

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state that “public libraries rely on ‘minimally useful’ T1 connections and ‘increasingly

strained’ DSL and cable-modem connections, and they lack the resources to upgrade their

connections” (Mandel, et al., 2010, p. 282). Liu and Wnuk (2009) stated that:

“enhancement of the accessibility also includes reliability and speed of connections….

These require maintenance and upgrades, given that the information sought by users

comes in ever-more information-rich forms, requiring broader band-width and upgraded

applications” (p. 20-21).

Funding. Funding remains the toughest barrier for public libraries trying to

support increased public use while coping with static or decreased budgets. Jaeger, et al.

(2012) reported that: “these increases have occurred concurrent to dramatic decreases in

library budgets” (p. 12). According to the PFLTAS report (2012), public use of

technology classes has increased 36%, use of computers has increased 60%, wi-fi use has

increased 74% and use of electronic resources has increased 58% compared to funding

that has decreased or remained fixed by 57% (p. 7). Without appropriate funding, public

libraries lack the ability to meet the needs of the communities they operate in. Lack of

funding negatively impacts a libraries ability to hire and train staff as well as the ability to

maintain current technology standards by following a reasonable upgrade schedule for

equipment.

Looking Forward

Norman (2012) stated: “public libraries will survive and thrive by recognizing

their changing roles. With the digital world of content, the role is shifting to that of

content aggregators, access managers, and educators in digital literacy” (p. 339).

Libraries are familiar with this evolution and new library and information science courses

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are beginning to focus more on knowledge of digital technology to support the shifting

demands of library users. In order to remain the relevant institution that public libraries

have been for decades to society, there must be an adjustment to the services offered and

the library as a public space in general (Nagy, 2011).

The new generation of library patrons requires different services, mediums and

materials. Digital media and technology are now in high demand and the public library

can be a provider of those demands. Some libraries are improving work spaces,

upgrading technology to accommodate digital creation demand, offering digital

technology classes and even creating specific spaces within the library for gaming (Nagy,

2011, p. 10). Public libraries are also updating their websites and continue to expand the

services available via the library website. The Pew Report (2013) found that “library

users who are home internet users, tablet users and smartphone owners…. are especially

likely to say that the reason for their diminished use stems from the fact they do research

online” (p. 31). There is much incentive for libraries to become a point of access for

online research through their library websites.

Conclusion

The digital divide in the United States is very real. Public libraries have played

and are continuing to play a significant role in reducing this divide through their public

access to computers and the Internet and also the formal or informal training they offer to

their communities. Providing access to digital technologies is the foundation to bridging

the digital divide, providing digital literacy resources and training complete the picture.

Clark and Visser wrote:

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For ALA and its members, the heart of digital literacy work is rooted in the

library principles of ensuring equity of access to information. In the age of

broadband-enabled resources, it is even more apparent that access denied is

opportunity denied. As the quantity of online resources continues to grow at

unprecedented rates, there is a growing amount of information that is no longer

captured in print or offline format. The individual and societal costs of digital

exclusion continue to grow. Libraries of all types need to position themselves as

the digital literacy experts they are, support staff competencies to maintain the

level of expertise required in the digital landscape, and explore opportunities to

expand digital literacy projects and initiatives.” (p. 41)

Providing digital literacy training and access is increasingly seen as a primary service of

today’s public library. According to the U.S. Census Bureau Report on computer and

Internet use in the U.S. (2013): “in 2011, more Americans connected to the Internet than

ever before, although differences continued to exist between those with use and those

without” (p. 1). Americans without access are undeniably at a disadvantage when it

comes to multiple facets of participating fully in society from social interaction, personal

finances, government services and educational support and opportunities.

Across every demographic surveyed in the Pew Report (2013) report 91 percent

of respondents said that the library was either “very important” or “somewhat important”

(p. 19) to their community. Interestingly, every demographic also reported that libraries

were more important to their community than directly important to their family (Pew

Report, 2013, p. 20). This is, possibly in part, because public libraries offer services to

their communities that patrons either cannot receive elsewhere or are more comfortable

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receiving in a library: services such as educational support, job seeking and career

improvement assistance, finding health information, using government e-services with

the assistance of a staff member and socializing via email or digital media, but also

because public libraries have been historical institutions for making their communities

stronger as a whole.

Public libraries stand out as one of the few institutions in our society that offer

free and equal access to information, in both traditional formats and emerging digital

formats accompanied by the staff to assist and train users. With the rapidly evolving

digital technology terrain, libraries should continue to play an irreplaceable role in

helping both patrons who still need basic digital technology skills and patrons who are

looking for assistance with more advanced digital technology. By doing this, libraries

secure a place for themselves in the future and also abide by their mission to provide

information access to all.

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Cummings LIBR 200 Term Paper