DIGITAL INCLUSION & LIBRARIES:
We need to ensure no one is left behind as Aotearoa works to recover from COVID-19. #DigitalInclusionNZ
Librarians have known the importance of digital inclusion for a long time. However, the global pandemic we are all living through has thrown into sharp relief just how vital it is. LIANZA was one of the first 20 organisations who pledged support for a digital inclusion plan submitted to the New Zealand Government by Internetnz in May. Digital Inclusion is also identified as essential to deliver on the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (see also our item on SDGS in this issue).
In this digital inclusion special Helen Heath, from the LIANZA Office, learned more about ways that librarians around New Zealand are working towards connecting and empowering their communities. She spoke with Laurence Zwimpfer, Operations Director and trustee of Digital Inclusion Alliance
Aotearoa; Michelle Bryant from Nelson Public Libraries; and Leilani Glassie from Mangere East Library.
THE DIGITAL INCLUSION ALLIANCE AOTEAROA
The Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa (DIAA) is a new organisation, established in July
2018 in collaboration with the
20/20 Trust. Its aim is to expand the reach of digital inclusion initiatives, so that everyone in New Zealand has equitable opportunities to participate in the digital world.
DIAA has three initial digital inclusion programmes: Stepping Up, Skinny Jump and DORA. All of these programmes are delivered in partnership with local organisations nationwide, principally libraries.
The Alliance’s largest digital inclusion programme is Stepping Up, free communitybased training that builds digital skills and knowledge in small easy steps.
Skinny Jump
is a programme designed to help more New Zealanders gain access to affordable broadband at home; providing heavily subsidised connectivity to thousands of households at risk of being digitally excluded due to cost. Jump is a flexible prepaid service, offering 30GB of data for just $5, a quarter of the price of the cheapest commercial services available. Skinny Jump is closely associated with Stepping Up, with many Stepping Up partners running Spark Jump set up sessions. It shares the same coordination and support staff.
DORA is a 33-year old school bus from Central Otago that was converted into a high-tech digital learning centre for the Stepping Up training programme in 2012. From August 1 2018, responsibility for managing DORA transferred to DIAA. Laurence Zwimpfer, MNZM, is Operations Director and trustee of DIAA.
Q
KIA ORA LAURENCE AND THANK YOU FOR TALKING WITH LIBRARY LIFE. BACK IN APRIL YOU TOLD LIANZA:
A
We have been so busy responding to the huge demand for Jump since last Wednesday – over 1100 requests in just 10 days, when we normally get 2–300 a month. Librarians around the country have been absolutely fantastic in continuing to support their communities, despite the extra challenges created by COVID-19. They are continuing to accept inquiries from their communities, helping them fill in the Jump application form over the phone and then providing phone support when people ask for help when the modem arrives. Over 50 librarians have participated in our Zoom briefings this week; it has been a fast moving initiative and we are providing regular updates.
CAN YOU TELL US HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED OVER COVID-19 LOCKDOWN?
We have now reached over
4000 modems issued since March 25. This has only been achieved because librarians have remained accessible (by phone) to their communities during the
COVID-19 lockdown and have continued to help people sign up for Skinny Jump.
We see libraries and librarians as trusted local community connectors – bridging the chasm between real people and the incredibly confusing world of technology, people who can confidently and honestly say “trust me, this is good for you!”
IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS THAT GOING FORWARD, POST-COVID, PEOPLE
IN NZ ARE EVEN MORE RELIANT ON DIGITAL CONNECTION. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO INDIVIDUAL LIBRARIANS THAT WANT TO GET INVOLVED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Keep on doing what you have been doing for the last 50 years, helping people engage with and navigate the ever-changing digital world. In particular, seek out opportunities to explore new digital tools and online resources, so that you remain a trusted source of advice for the digital world. If your library is not offering Stepping Up digital literacy classes or something similar, ask your manager, why not. And embrace the digital world, not only for yourself, but for your customers.