eSmart Libraries Evaluation Report: Wave Two Findings

eSmart Libraries is a behaviour-change initiative developed by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation in partnership with the Telstra Foundation; collaborating with Australia’s library network to connect libraries and their users with tools and resources to improve cybersafety and wellbeing online, and facilitate digital inclusion in the community. The initiative was developed in response to a concern that an increasing digital divide was leaving some of Australian society’s most vulnerable members lacking in the skills and knowledge to be smart, safe and responsible users of technology (AMF, 2012). This report is the second in a series of three reports that looks at the success factors and barriers to implementation of the eSmart Libraries framework for library services. In this second wave of data collection there were over 500 participants across 12 library service sites nationally. The research team conducted focus groups, interviews and surveys with seven library services, including three that had participated in the first wave of data collection. In addition, the research team undertook interviews only with five further library services, five library industry representatives and three members of the eSmart Libraries Team at the AMF. The report is structured according to the four key evaluation topics: Area 1: Impact; Area 2: Implementation; Area 3: Partner and Industry Objectives; Area 4: Perceptions. The implementation of the eSmart Libraries initiative comes at a time when the role of library services in their communities is significantly transforming. The traditional, transactional relationship between library staff and users is changing as technology provides new ways of delivering services. More and more public libraries are playing a key role as digital hubs for local communities. By providing access and education programs, they actively contribute to improving digital participation within those communities. The combination of locality and free access to devices, connectivity and education uniquely positions public libraries as places and spaces where digital participation can be promoted and supported (Jaeger, Bertot, Thompson, Katz, & DeCoster, 2012). The eSmart Libraries initiative offers library services a holistic framework, grounded in social and behavioural change communication theory (SBCC), which targets library leadership; policy, procedures and strategy; staff knowledge and capability; guidance and learning for library users; and community engagement.