AI literacy for librarians in low-resource, multicultural communities

Emerging AI tools have seen use in recent years as a way to shortcut learning, potentially enabling students and teachers to customise lessons and overcome socio-economic and language barriers by providing on-demand access. Kara Kennedy offers a vision of what AI literacy looks like for librarians and their colleagues working in a low-resource educational environment servicing a high number of low-socioeconomic, multicultural customers.

Read More
NZ-Wide, LGNZ Team DECA NZ-Wide, LGNZ Team DECA

Project summary: Libraries as a vehicle for service delivery

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) commissioned FrankAdvice to run a project looking into libraries as a vehicle for service delivery. LGNZ was interested in how libraries contribute to positive outcomes for their communities, how libraries are supported by both local and central government, how additional services not normally considered essential are delivered through libraries and how they benefit their communities, and innovative ways to deliver public services through libraries.

Read More
AUS, University of Queensland, International DECA Communications AUS, University of Queensland, International DECA Communications

Creating a Connected Future Through Information and Digital Literacy

As knowledge-intensive institutions, universities face many challenges resulting from today’s highly dynamic technological environment. While the ways in which learners and researchers engage with digital information resources are complex and diverse, there is a keen awareness of the varying levels of information and digital literacy skills amongst students and academic staff. A university-wide approach to skills development, involving all stakeholders, has been recommended as a valid approach to addressing some of the issues. At the University of Queensland, the Library has led the way with the development of a future-focused strategic framework for information and digital literacy to help shape the University’s academic policies and practices. After reviewing the principles that underpin the strategic framework (collaboration, alignment, innovation, sustainability and evaluation), the paper presents some of the key strategies which have been introduced to encourage the development of digital skills in the contexts of undergraduate teaching and learning, digital scholarship and eResearch. It is argued that there is great potential for library staff to extend their reach and serve as digital facilitators, connectors and collaborators, making a significant contribution to successful outcomes in many areas of contemporary academic life.

Read More