This document discusses building the digital capability of libraries to tackle digital exclusion. It outlines that libraries are well positioned to play a role in digital inclusion due to their local reach and accessibility. The Library Digital Inclusion Fund pilot project found that libraries increased digital skills and confidence for over 1,600 learners. To further build digital capability, the document recommends that libraries use digital inclusion tools, secure training and resources, improve data collection, and develop sustainable digital champion programs.

1. Building the Digital Capability
of Libraries
Adam Micklethwaite, Director of Business and Innovation
CILIP ILG MmIT conference, 5 August 2016
@TinderFdn
@ajm_digital

2. ● Tackling digital exclusion
● The strategic importance of libraries
● Building the digital capability of libraries: the
opportunity and solutions
Three things

3. ● We help the most vulnerable in society
engage with technology and use it to
improve their lives
● Through a combination of face-to-face
support and easy to use digital learning
● Use digital to drive positive outcomes in
employment/skills, health/wellbeing,
literacy/numeracy
● Almost 2 million people helped since
2010, target to help a further 2 million
by 2020
About Tinder Foundation

4. 12.6 million people without basic digital skills Ipsos MORI for Go ON UK,
2015
Of which almost 6 million have never been online ONS, Statistical Bulletin:
Internet Users, 2015
60% have no qualifications
57% are aged 65+
49% are disabled
Go ON UK, Basic Digital
Skills UK Report, 2015
OxIS, Culture of the Internet,
2013
82% motivation
17% skills
21% cost of access
Ofcom, Communications
Market Report, 2015; Media
Use and Attitudes, 2014
86% of households have internet connected at home Ofcom, Adults Media Use
and Attitudes, 2015
23% of under-45s carry out 10 or less activities online
Digital
exclusion
• Proxy for social
exclusion
• 23% of
population won’t
achieve channel
shift

6. Economic benefits
• Headline benefit of almost £10 per
£1 invested
• Online families save £350 per year
• People with digital skills earn 3%-
10% more than those without

7. Tackling digital exclusion
Local
Accessible
Face-to-face
Friendly and person-centred
Digital
inclusion
works when
it is….

8. Strategic importance of libraries (1)
Libraries are
National and hyper-local
Equipped with WiFi
Wide reach (not just the
elderly)
Increasing referrals (eg.
jobseekers)
Local
authority
Reach
Impact
Efficiency
Access
Channel shift
Community
cohesion
Access
points to
public
services
Hard to reach
groups
Brilliant vehicles for digital
inclusion

9. Strategic importance of libraries (2)
857 use
Learn My
Way
2,900 of
5,000 in
network
£300k in
486
libraries
22k
people,
79k
courses
Libraries are already a critical part of the
network

10. Library Digital Inclusion Fund
• October 2015-April 2016
• 16 library services funded across England, delivered in
over 200 branches
• Over 1,600 people supported to gain basic digital skills
o/w over 800 gained digital health literacy
• Reached vulnerable people
• Different models tested: partnership, tablet lending,
mobile classroom

11. Library Digital Inclusion Fund - findings
• Learners improved their digital skills and confidence
• Libraries increased local awareness of their services
• 87% of Library Services will continue using Learn My Way, 62% to
capture data on digital skills
• 94% formed at least one new partnership, 73% thought the project
helped them raise awareness of their work with local authorities
• Staff have become digitally engaged and some Library Services are
continuing to deliver digital inclusion

12. LDI Fund - feedback from libraries
Doncaster Libraries
“The UK online centres
network provides support
and a framework for us to
deliver one to one IT help
sessions to people who really
need a helping hand in
getting online”
Barnet Libraries
“Being part of the UK online
centres network has helped
us to develop new ways of
supporting Digital Inclusion in
our local communities”
Derbyshire Libraries
“Learn My Way helps us to
focus on a clearly identified
local need to help people in
Derbyshire to develop their
basic online skills”

13. The opportunity for libraries
• Libraries ideally positioned to play a significant national role
in tackling digital and social exclusion and the £63 billion
digital skills gap
• Mobile is essential in delivering outreach and engaging older
and vulnerable people
• Potential channel shift savings: £493 pp/pa, if similar levels
of activity across all 151 library services in England = £7.5m
• Libraries are not demonstrating their impact to
commissioners as strongly as they could – better data
collection would help

14. ● Use digital inclusion tools
● Secure training and resources
● Better data collection
● Build sustainable capacity
Building digital capability (1)
Eg. Learn My Way v4
Building confidence/skills
Demonstrating impact to LAs
Digital Champions: ‘cascade’

15. Building digital capability (2)

16. Building digital
capability (3)

17. ● Encouraging more Library Online Centres and use of #digilibraries
● Support to make the most of Learn My Way v4
● Promotion of training/resources and Digital Champion training
● Sharing case studies of successful models of digital inclusion, data and
impact, and interaction with local authorities
● Working with national partners: SCL, CILIP, Libraries Taskforce
Next steps

18. Libraries can champion
digital inclusion!
More brilliant examples at:
https://www.ukonlinecentres.com/specialist-networks/libraries/case-studies
@TinderFdn
@ajm_digital