This project aims to tackle the serious digital skills deficit in N Ireland by delivering digital learning opportunities in an accessible form across the public library network. Digital skills are now necessary life skills, and these skills will become even more important in the future given that so many everyday activities – such as shopping, banking, communicating and accessing services, advice and information – increasingly require interaction with technology. A dedicated team of seven staff are delivering an additional 2,000 tailored training opportunities targeted at sections of the population with the greatest skills needs. The target groups which this project is primarily concerned with are: people living in poverty people from rural areas older people people with disabilities The Digital Citizen project takes people from ‘digital muggle’ to ‘digital citizen’ Digital Muggle: No digital skills required – digital technology may as well be magic Digital Citizen: the same work skills as are required to be a full digital citizen. This is the ability to use digital technology purposefully and confidently to communicate, find information and purchase goods/services. While also positively impacting self-efficacy specifically around developing confidence and skills and address inequalities in society. The action learning approach tailors the learning to activities the individual wishes to take part in. This project has a number of additional elements which are not included in the current Libraries NI digital support offer – for example delivery of specific learning opportunities to people with disabilities or vulnerable adults and development of programmes in relation to online safety which is an area of concern especially for older adults. The Digital Citizen project reaches those in communities who have not been able to avail of basic IT training for reasons such as accessibility, affordability, awareness, or confidence.

1. Paul Kelly
Senior Information and
Learning Services Manager

2. Libraries NI
Libraries NI has responsibility for the provision of public library
services in Northern Ireland and is a Non Departmental Public
Body which reports to the Department for Communities.
Public library services are delivered through a network of:
• 96 branch libraries
• 16 mobile libraries
• 9 Homecall Service vehicles
• 2 Specialist Heritage locations.

3. The Library Network

4. What is the Digital Citizen Project?
The project consists of six trainers located throughout
Northern Ireland. They tackle the digital skills deficit in
Northern Ireland by delivering learning opportunities in
an accessible form across the library network and in
community settings.

5. Rationale and Need
Research by Citizens Online showed that:
• 18.8% of the population have never used the internet
• 32.2% of the NI population aged 16 - 65 years have low
or no digital skills.
The research also showed the groups at risk of digital
exclusion include:
• economically inactive
• over 65 year olds
• rural dwellers.
https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/publications/digital-inclusion-research-report

6. Digital Citizen Project Objectives
Delivery of 2,000 digital learning opportunities throughout
Northern Ireland to:
• adults in ‘neighbourhood renewal’ areas
• adults in ‘rural’ areas
• adults with disabilities
• older adults.

7. Digital Citizen Project Objectives
• improve safe use of online services
• improve health through improved skills and communication
• improve self-efficacy through improved confidence and
problem solving skills.

8. Where we deliver

9. Basic Digital Skills
Managing Information - find, manage and store content.
Communicating - interact, collaborate and connect with
others.
Transacting - register for and use digital government
services.
Problem Solving - independence and confidence by finding
solutions using digital tools.
Creating - create basic digital content in order to engage
with digital communities.

10. What we Offer
Training sessions for groups and individuals offered in
a library, or in a community setting.
This training is aimed at people with limited digital
skills. It can be delivered in formal group sessions or in
learner led one-to-one eClinics or longer courses.

11. Learn About -
• computer basics
• finding information and accessing services
• email and social networking
• various tablet and mobile devices
• shopping online
• saving money
• anything else you want to know!

12. Short Course Delivery
• introduction to the iPad
• taking and editing photos on an iPad
• keeping yourself and your kids safe online – privacy and
security settings
• spotting scams and how to avoid them
• Facebook – controlling your settings
• eBooks and eMagazines.

13. Library Delivery
Larne Library hosted the
Digital Citizen Project
team on a weekly basis,
providing beneficial IT
skills to customers –
especially helpful as we
are living more and more
in a world of e-forms etc.

14. Outreach Delivery
Relaxed and learning together on their short course.

15. Outreach Group: Feedback
“I’ve learnt how to protect myself online and spot a scam.”
Emma
“I found it very interesting. Recognising scams. Learning
about security passwords on your devices.”
Charlene
“I found it very interesting and it has also helped me to
recognize scams and be more internet aware.”
Aoife

16. Progress
NB each participant can fall under multiple ‘Target Group’ categories
TOTAL
ATTENDANCE
Target Group
TSE/NR
Target Group
Rural
Target Group
Adults with
disabilities
Target Group
Older
2427 1220 1037 673 1679

18. Further Outcomes
• 23% felt less isolated
• 47% felt enabled to communicate with family and friends
• 29% made new friends
• 17% felt it impacted positively on their well being.

19. Feedback from Sessions
“I have the knowledge of how to Skype my son in Canada!”
“I am visually impaired - this has helped me get Audiobooks.”
“Absolutely great. Was an eye opener and hopefully a door
opening to Internet use.”

20. Maghera Library Staff Feedback
“Being a ‘techno-dino’ myself I appreciate the benefit that
this project is having on the customers in my area who
have little or no knowledge of technology but are so very
keen to learn. It is a great opportunity for them judging by
the response I have had.”
Carol O’Doherty
Branch Library Manager
Maghera Library