Who Are They

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

Review the Pew
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?

Create Opportunity
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

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

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

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?

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

Who Are They

by ajlerner on Oct 27, 2007

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Who Are They — Presentation Transcript