Serving Llibrary users from low-income communities: Promoting digital literacy to eSociety

摘要

This study investigated the inclusion of low-income community users by surveying digital information literacy, in term of their attitudes toward electronic media and Internet-based reading. Two hundred thirty-eight public library users from ethnic diverse communities participated in this survey. Younger readers found reading online as easy as reading print books, while older library users preferred print media. Lower-income users were able to access the Internet mainly from libraries and reported slightly positively to online reading. Reading attitudes toward digital resources by residents of poorer urban communities did not vary by gender, contrary to common sense that women outread men. The implications of this result are explored; for example, beingunemployed may allow underrepresented and minority users supplemental time for leisure reading. This study suggests approaches for iSchools and graduates to service diverse communities, promote digital information literacy, and bridge digital divide in information society.