Digital literacy as a part of continuing education library efforts

摘要

As the information technology (IT) continues being a part of everyone life, or, at least, of everyone being in position to use any device connected to some type of a communication network including mobile networks, it has become extremely critical for a person to become digitally literate. Younger generations receive education in digital literacy education during their schooling, while adults are frequently lacking such competences once they leave formal education and find employment. Public libraries aim to bridge the digital divide and provide access to critical information and activities to anyone interested in acquisition of knowledge and skills for use of IT and use of digital information sources. The purpose of the research conducted in form of a survey was to confirm an important role of public libraries as places of informal and continuing education in digital literacy in an environment different from schools and universities (places of formal education). The research results in this paper show that public libraries are active facilitators and educational partners in introducing digital literacy to their users. In spite of some obstacles, public libraries remain determined to provide access to critical information sources and activities, which would lead to greater proficiency in digital literacy.