Who are they? What do they want? Assessing patron needs for Information Literacy in Public Libraries

Review the Pew Pew Internet & American Life Project “ A Typology of Information and Communication Technology Users ” May 7, 2007 release

Pew Internet & American Life Project “ A Typology of Information and Communication Technology Users ” May 7, 2007 release

Review the Pew Who can we help? 49% seems probable, the “Few Tech Assets” profile

Who can we help?

49% seems probable, the “Few Tech Assets” profile

Locating Students - Know your community demographic - Know local resources outside of the library - Is there a gap to be filled?

- Know your community demographic

- Know local resources outside of the library

- Is there a gap to be filled?

Create Opportunity Listen to your patron requests Create a survey Ask patrons to submit ideas to a Suggestion Box

Listen to your patron requests

Create a survey

Ask patrons to submit ideas to a Suggestion Box

Community Outreach Appeal to niche groups such as parents wanting to help children with homework online Offer health related searching class using your databases

Appeal to niche groups such as parents wanting to help children with homework online

Offer health related searching class using your databases

Bringing New Skills to Old Hands Can the 20% Middle of the Road users be tempted? - Managing Files/Folders - Digital Camera Skills – using free sources such as Flickr, Pixenate, Picnik, Snipshot - EBay Skills - Internet Security issues

Can the 20% Middle of the Road users be tempted?

- Managing Files/Folders

- Digital Camera Skills – using free sources such as Flickr, Pixenate, Picnik, Snipshot

- EBay Skills

- Internet Security issues

Acknowledge Limitations Lack of bandwidth in library Lack of reliable access to computers both in library and at home due to limitation of space and funds Lack of transportation or mobility of the patron

Lack of bandwidth in library

Lack of reliable access to computers both in library and at home due to limitation of space and funds

Lack of transportation or mobility of the patron

A Question for the Future At what point will Information Literacy become a basic skill, similar to reading a newspaper or a book, navigating a library catalog, or using an ATM?

At what point will Information Literacy become a basic skill, similar to reading a newspaper or a book, navigating a library catalog, or using an ATM?

Internet Librarian Resources Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study (2007) http://www.ala.org/ala/ors/publiclibraryfundingtechnologyaccessstudy/pullibfunandtechaccstudy.htm see also: Clark, Lara, “Libraries Connect Communities,” American Libraries September 2007 p. 62-63 Pew Internet & American Life Project http://www.pewinternet.org/ A great place to monitor reports pertaining to the internet and the demographics and profiles of our potential patrons. A Typology of Information and Communication Technology Users http://tinyurl.com/ynq49t E-patients With a Disability or Chronic Disease http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/EPatients_Chronic_Conditions_2007.pdf Santa Monica Public Library Computer Class Questionnaire Get Connected Flash Film produced by Santa Monica Public Library http:// www.smpl.org/classes/Flash_movie.htm

Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study (2007)

http://www.ala.org/ala/ors/publiclibraryfundingtechnologyaccessstudy/pullibfunandtechaccstudy.htm

see also: Clark, Lara, “Libraries Connect Communities,” American Libraries September 2007 p. 62-63

Pew Internet & American Life Project

http://www.pewinternet.org/

A great place to monitor reports pertaining to the internet and the demographics and profiles of our potential patrons.

A Typology of Information and Communication Technology Users

http://tinyurl.com/ynq49t

E-patients With a Disability or Chronic Disease

http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/EPatients_Chronic_Conditions_2007.pdf

Santa Monica Public Library Computer Class Questionnaire

Get Connected Flash Film produced by Santa Monica Public Library

http:// www.smpl.org/classes/Flash_movie.htm