Using Community Partnerships to Create ICT Assisted Learning Resource Centres to Bridge the Digital Divide, Thus Changing Infras

This paper was presented at the Library Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) Seventh Annual Conference, held in Pholokwane, South Africa, September 27 to October 1 2004, with the theme “Libraries and Democracy: The Vital Link”.

The author commences by defining, for the purposes of the paper, the terms: society, community, community development, and community developer. She comments on the concept of community partnerships, defining these communities as those that are “information and (information and communication technologies) ICT poor”; discusses the role of the community developer in these communities; and the notes the kinds of partnerships (formal or informal) that tend to succeed.

The paper explores the link between community empowerment and community partnerships and bridging the digital divide, noting that there are two key aspects to doing so. “The first would be to equip a community with ICT infrastructure. Secondly ... would be to have a skills development action whereby computer literacy and information literacy can be addressed.” ICT infrastructure is defined and the concept of an ICT Assisted Learning Resource Centre discussed and why communities need such centres.

The author, citing other sources, defines information literacy as a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information" and describes the capabilities of an information literate individual, some of which necessarily translate into technological skills.

It is noted that with respect to dissemination of information, it is key that government disseminates information that is relevant to society as a whole. Certain legislation from the previous South African government hampered the dissemination of information and a list of these laws is provided. Following the democratic elections of 1994, the author maintains that there was better flow of information between government and society in general and names the Constitution or Bill of Rights and the Promotion of Access to Information (Act 2 of 2000) as important factors. Structures and models established to promote the dissemination of government information include: national libraries, legal deposit libraries, Official Publications Depositories (OPDs), Government Information Service (GIS), and Multipurpose Community Centres (MPCCs).

The paper concludes with the writer’s goal to create ICT-assisted Learning Resource Centres through community partnerships, thereby providing access to technology and a venue offering training facilities. The potential benefits of community partnerships are discussed. The author’s main objectives include bridging the digital divide through technology and information literacy and “changing infrastructure into infostructure”.

To view the PowerPoint presentation of this paper, click here.