Enhancing digital information access in public libraries

Purpose To explore the impact of public digital library resources on urban residents, to elucidate the current usage patterns of public digital library resources/services and levels of satisfaction with the resources/content in urban digital libraries and make recommendations as to steps that would improve service to this population. Design/Methodology/Approach We conducted an anonymous user-completed survey study of 6 urban libraries to collect demographic and information regarding satisfaction with Digital Library (DL) resource and patterns of use. Findings Our respondents represented a cross section of races, genders, ages, and educational backgrounds. Our results in this much-needed area of study demonstrate that libraries should plan to provide more access, less filtering, regular upgrades, and more training to use the resources. Practical Limitations/Implications Larger studies should be used to follow up this report, in order to be able to obtain a generalized understanding of overall patterns of urban residents using DLs in public settings. Recruitment techniques did not adequately sample potential (but not current) DL users. Originality/Value This study contributes to a scant empirical data set addressing the impact that access to public digital information and services have on urban residents. We offer new data and recommendations that will guide public library administrators in enhancing the impact, efficiency and value of public DL resources/services to improve the digital learning environment for life-long educaiton at all levels in a broad community of urban users.

0 citations (Crossref) [2023-10-31] tex.ids: lens.org/027-715-068-622-316 tex.type: [object Object]