Assessing Access in School Libraries: Developing Meaningful Use of Library Resources and Services

Abstract

The digital equity issue has been called the ‘civil right’ issue of our time. A recent Australian report considers lack of internet access is a socioeconomic factor, along with unemployment, lack of social engagement of young adults, low Year 9 reading levels, disability support, prison admissions, and domestic violence (Newman & Gurstein, 2016). This report raises the issue of ‘the myth of choice'. "Do those proposing that everything move online genuinely believe that there are no longer people who aren’t online?" (Newman & Gurstein, 2016). The authors advocate going the ‘extra mile’ to bridge a digital divide characterised by variation of internet use along lines of educational level, reading and writing ability, rural-urban location, ethnic group, and gender.