1. Staff attitudes toward public IT provision in Swansea Library & Information Service
Abstract
A fundamental role of the library is to promote literacy. Of increasing importance in
the twenty first century is digital literacy. It has been said that we live in a society
where economic and social wellbeing increasingly depends on an individual’s ability
to accumulate and assimilate information. Much of this information is now to be
found online. Public libraries play an important role in providing access to IT
facilities. However, it will be argued that simply providing access will not address the
problem of digital literacy and the digital divide which exists within our society.
Library staff are providing IT skills sessions and much needed assistance to library
users on a daily basis.
This study seeks to examine the attitudes of Swansea Library Service staff members
towards the provision of IT facilities and assistance. It will argue that staff members
are playing a key role in promoting digital literacy within the communities they serve.
The study itself is based around an inductive approach. The data will be collected and
examined and conclusions shall be drawn from this. The main body of the
investigation relates to the thoughts of library staff regarding the public IT facilities
available in the library. The methods involved included a questionnaire as well as
semi-structured interviews.
The general attitude displayed by staff was positive. Library staff recognised the
important role the library can play in promoting digital literacy and helping to bridge
the digital divide. Although there was concern involving the wide range of IT
knowledge across various devices required as well as the continuous updates in
technology. Finally, the study critically evaluates to what extent it has fulfilled its
objectives and sets out some recommendations which could be used to influence
policy on a local level within the service.