How library and information professionals improve digital inclusion. This statement from the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals explains: What digital inclusion is How it benefits people, communities and society How libraries and staff can support and improve digital inclusion

1. Driving digital inclusion
The role of library and
information professionals
Library and information professionals can make a significant contribution to increasing digital inclusion and participation.
Digital inclusion improves people’s lives. It saves money, is essential to find work, improves health, helps stay connected and develops important skills. It enables a skilled workforce, competitive economy, strong communities and a successful society.
People need the right skills, access, motivation and trust to get online and enjoy the benefits of digital inclusion. As more of our lives take place online those who are on the wrong side of the digital divide will be increasingly disadvantaged.
Why does digital inclusion matter?
11 million people in the UK are offline and are considered to have no digital skills i
60% have no qualifications
49% are disabled
42% earn less than £12.5k
61% are 65+
61% have never used the internet
3% are lapsed internet users
Who are the 11 million offline?

2. 90% of future jobs will require ICT skills
Through innovation, partnership work
and the expertise
of professional staff
libraries have the
potential to make
an even greater
contribution.
l People with good ICT skills earn between 3% – 10% more than
those without.
l 72% of employers would not even interview entry level
candidates with no ICT skills. ii
l Someone using the internet for the first time will be
£1,064 a year better off. iii
Digital literacy
Digital literacy is one of the core skills for digital inclusion.
It gives us the confidence to find, critically appraise and manage information in our personal
and working lives. Digital literacy also means we can create and contribute information and
not just be passive consumers. People need to be motivated to continue to learn as
technology and society changes.
Digitally illiteracy brings economic and social disadvantages. It leaves people vulnerable to
poor decision making and online threats including identity theft, cybercrime and exposure
to hate sites.
Why libraries?
Professionally led library and information services play an important role providing the skills, access, motivation and trust people need to get online
and participate digitally.
Services in a range of sectors can increase digital inclusion amongst a range of stakeholder groups including in health, government departments,
Higher and Further Education, and commercial
organisations.
Through innovation, partnership work and the expertise of professional staff libraries have the potential to make an even greater contribution.

3. School libraries are welcoming places that engage and excite young people with reading. They also help children develop skills, including:
l Information literacy l E-safety l Research skills
Our role
The Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals believes that individuals, communities, the economy and society will benefit from digital inclusion and participation.
l We have signed up to the UK Digital Inclusion Charter iv which recognises the need for
coherence and direction to locally delivered digital participation initiatives.
l We advocate the important role library and information professionals play bridging
the digital divide.
l We ensure the library and information workforce has the skills and knowledge to
teach and promote online engagement.
l We work in partnership with other organisations to build a digitally inclusive society.
Public libraries are a trusted source at the heart of communities that often work
in partnership and provide:
l Internet access and support
l Job and homework clubs
l Support developing digital skills
l Access to ebooks and digital resources
The Society of Chief Librarians’ digital offer recognises that the development of digital services, skills and access underpins much of a 21st century library service. The digital offer is one of four Universal Offers for public libraries.
www.goscl.com/universal-offers/digital-offer
Why library and information professionals?
Library and Information professionals have the right skills and
ethics to be an effective part of bridging the UK’s digital divide.
l They are trusted by their users and communities.
l They have experience working in partnership on
programmes encouraging digital participation.
l They understand information and have the skills set to
teach how to use, create and manage it in an ethical way.
They have the right skills and ethics to be an effective part of bridging the UK’s
digital divide.

4. CILIP, 7 Ridgmount Street
London, WC1E 7AE
United Kingdom
Registered charity no 313014
Published September 2014
CILIP’s Professional Knowledge and Skills Base identifies the expertise and skills required by the library, information and knowledge profession. It identifies the need for digital literacy skills. www.cilip.org.uk/psksb
CILIP’s Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Practice set out the principles and values on which the conduct of members should be based. The Code includes a responsibility to “promote the necessary skills and knowledge amongst users to become effective independent learners and researchers”
www.cilip.org.uk/ethics
References
i OxIS, Culture of the internet: the internet in Britain, October 2013
BBC Media literacy: Understanding digital capabilities follow up, September 2013
ii ICM, UK online centres survey, Feb 2012
iii BT, Digital inclusion: The social return on investment, 2014
iv Cabinet Office, UK Digital Inclusion Charter, April 2014
www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-digital-inclusion-strategy and
associated Government Digital Inclusion Strategy, Cabinet Office, April 2014
www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-digital-inclusion-strategy
Find out more
www.cilip.org.uk/digitalinclusion
Email: policy@cilip.org.uk
Twitter: @CILIPinfo
CILIP is the leading body representing the information professions. We believe in a literate,
knowledgeable and connected society. We build the professionalism of our members by
supporting the development of skills, knowledge and excellence. We provide unity through
shared values and advocate on behalf of the information professions. Our members work
in a range of sectors including higher education, schools, public libraries, health, commercial
organisations and across government.