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Libraries, digital and inclusion: how far can we go?

Published on 05 October 2018
Update on 26 September 2022
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Summary

The ADBGV (Association of Directors of Municipal Libraries and Intercommunal Groups of French Cities) will devote its annual study day, on October 9 in Grenoble, to the role of libraries in digital inclusion.

How to respond to the needs induced by the digital boom? What is the place of the library in a local digital inclusion policy? How far should we go? Can we meet all the needs induced by the rise of dematerialization and e-administration? What complementarity within cities?

Prepare and take the Adult Computer and Internet Certificate (B2IA) in a library

The multimedia spaces in the library have been training users in digital technologies for a long time, but until now they have not had any accreditation, particularly in terms of teaching, to give them a diploma.

Since the beginning of 2017, it has been possible to train for and take the Brevet Informatique et Internet Adultes (B2IA) in six libraries in the Gironde department, approved by the rectorat de Bordeaux.

The Brevet Informatique et Internet Adultes (B2IA) is a diploma recognized by the National Education. It is a certificate that certifies the mastery of digital skills of users. It is offered by libraries and EPN (Etablissement Public Numérique) approved by the National Education.

Train people in digital tools, without transforming or substituting themselves for social workers

Thomas Fourmeux, on the blog Biblio Numericus, wonders about the contribution of librarians to digital inclusion.

"The poverty and digital precariousness in which users find themselves (...) indirectly pushes us to provide a service that goes beyond the professional framework (giving one's number, filling in forms with personal data because the user does not speak French or speaks it badly...).
  • If we sometimes act in this way, it is because we are guided by the desire to fulfill our public service mission and we are eager to help the people who use our services. But if we look at it carefully, we are often neither ready nor trained to fulfill this mission. This service generally relies on the good will of some librarians with a digital hat to take the time to accompany the users...(...)
  • Solutions have already been implemented by public authorities to fight against the digital divide. But very often, the library does not appear as a privileged actor of digital inclusion (...)
  •  "Just because we file a tax return does not mean we are social workers. We need to be aware of our limitations and have a clear vision of our missions.
  • We can train users to use word processing software so that they are able to write a CV. In my opinion, we are not Pole Emploi counselors and do not have the skills to help people return to work. Although in fact, we are required to help users write their CV or cover letter. (...)
  • We need to communicate on our ability to help people learn to use a tool if we don't want to become annexes of other services present in the territories and lose the specificities that characterize us".

Eurekoi: a free online public question and answer service, supported by a network of 48 libraries

"We are 500 librarians trained to search for information on the Internet and in specialized content databases. Each library has a specialty and we will find the best contact person for your question. We will do everything we can to find answers to your questions. The promise made to Internet users is simple: a precise answer to a question, delivered in 72 hours maximum by a qualified professional.

Created in 2006, then called BiblioSésame, Eurekoi has evolved considerably since then.

The Eurekoi network is made up of 48 libraries located in France and Belgium and is managed by the Bibliothèque Publique d'information du Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Service de la lecture publique de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles

Internet users have four possible vectors to submit their question: the Eurekoi website, a dedicated mobile application, the website of a partner library and a Facebook group (in open mode).

Annual traffic grew by 47% in 2017, with 8,455 responses to web users.

Références :

Sources

Libraries, digital and inclusion: how far can we go?

The ADBGV (Association of Directors of Municipal Libraries and Intercommunal Groups of French Cities) will devote its annual study day, on October 9 in Grenoble, to the role of libraries in digital inclusion.

How to respond to the needs induced by the digital boom? What is the place of the library in a local digital inclusion policy? How far should we go? Can we meet all the needs induced by the rise of dematerialization and e-administration? What complementarity within cities?

Prepare and take the Adult Computer and Internet Certificate (B2IA) in a library

The multimedia spaces in the library have been training users in digital technologies for a long time, but until now they have not had any accreditation, particularly in terms of teaching, to give them a diploma.

Since the beginning of 2017, it has been possible to train for and take the Brevet Informatique et Internet Adultes (B2IA) in six libraries in the Gironde department, approved by the rectorat de Bordeaux.

The Brevet Informatique et Internet Adultes (B2IA) is a diploma recognized by the National Education. It is a certificate that certifies the mastery of digital skills of users. It is offered by libraries and EPN (Etablissement Public Numérique) approved by the National Education.

Train people in digital tools, without transforming or substituting themselves for social workers

Thomas Fourmeux, on the blog Biblio Numericus, wonders about the contribution of librarians to digital inclusion.

"The poverty and digital precariousness in which users find themselves (...) indirectly pushes us to provide a service that goes beyond the professional framework (giving one's number, filling in forms with personal data because the user does not speak French or speaks it badly...).
  • If we sometimes act in this way, it is because we are guided by the desire to fulfill our public service mission and we are eager to help the people who use our services. But if we look at it carefully, we are often neither ready nor trained to fulfill this mission. This service generally relies on the good will of some librarians with a digital hat to take the time to accompany the users...(...)
  • Solutions have already been implemented by public authorities to fight against the digital divide. But very often, the library does not appear as a privileged actor of digital inclusion (...)
  •  "Just because we file a tax return does not mean we are social workers. We need to be aware of our limitations and have a clear vision of our missions.
  • We can train users to use word processing software so that they are able to write a CV. In my opinion, we are not Pole Emploi counselors and do not have the skills to help people return to work. Although in fact, we are required to help users write their CV or cover letter. (...)
  • We need to communicate on our ability to help people learn to use a tool if we don't want to become annexes of other services present in the territories and lose the specificities that characterize us".

Eurekoi: a free online public question and answer service, supported by a network of 48 libraries

"We are 500 librarians trained to search for information on the Internet and in specialized content databases. Each library has a specialty and we will find the best contact person for your question. We will do everything we can to find answers to your questions. The promise made to Internet users is simple: a precise answer to a question, delivered in 72 hours maximum by a qualified professional.

Created in 2006, then called BiblioSésame, Eurekoi has evolved considerably since then.

The Eurekoi network is made up of 48 libraries located in France and Belgium and is managed by the Bibliothèque Publique d'information du Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Service de la lecture publique de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles

Internet users have four possible vectors to submit their question: the Eurekoi website, a dedicated mobile application, the website of a partner library and a Facebook group (in open mode).

Annual traffic grew by 47% in 2017, with 8,455 responses to web users.

Références :

Sources

Labo Société Numérique

Labo République Française Agence nationale de cohésion des territoires
Libraries, digital and inclusion: how far can we go?