“Digital citizenship is a fundamental concept for modern democracies” (Missingham, 2009, p. 392)
In 1998 an international delegation met in
Melbourne to discuss the changing nature of telecommunications. This group went
on to become the International Telecommunications Union, their mission to “facilitate
universal access so that people everywhere can participate in, and benefit
from, the emerging information society” (The
International Telecommunications Union). Earlier this year the United
Nations Human Rights Council reaffirmed human rights as they apply to the
internet, calling on “all States to promote and facilitate access to the
Internet and international cooperation aimed at the development of media and
information and communications facilities in all countries” (United Nations General Assembly, 2012, p. 2).
Excepting a few, governments across the world have been moving to assess and
improve the access their citizens have to these new forms of information and
communication. Missingham’s article is an exploration of the successes and
failures as well as the enabling factors and hindrances’ in Australian libraries
attempts to become digitally adept.
One of the best ways to measure the digital
proficiency in a country is to investigate its internet coverage, and
connectivity is one of Missingham’s metrics. In 2006 the European Union adopted
a policy of ‘eInclusion’ and developed a proposal for the digital expansion of
member countries. Known as the Riga Declaration it set the lofty goal of 90%
broadband coverage Europe-wide by 2010 (Ministerial
Declaration: ICT for an inclusive society, 2006). Earlier this year the
European Union announced as part of the Digital Agenda for Europe that 100%
coverage would be achieved before 2013. As noted by Missingham, by comparison, Australia’s
foray in to digital coverage seems developmentally limited. Through the
National Broadband Network the Australian government plans to bring broadband coverage
to one third of residents by 2015. This
would account for the scathing commentary quoted by Missingham in response to
the 2003 Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
References Committee. The comparison between Europe and Australia is somewhat
unfair, given Australia’s low population density and large landmass.
Missingham’s point that internet access
must be provided to all Australian’s as a matter of equality is a good one. It
does nothing however, to move policy makers. Keeping up with the Joneses is one
thing, but for governments and corporations money is a powerful motive. The digital economy is mentioned in the
article’s title, but is not discussed beyond there. Several studies have
indicated that investment in internet access and speed directly correlates to an
increase in GDP. A recent literature review found that increasing broadband
penetration produced multiple benefits beyond an increase in GDP; such as
increased productivity, job creation and consumer surplus (Katz, 2012). Additionally, investment in
libraries has been shown to greatly benefit local economies, for example “NSW
public libraries generate at least $4.24 of economic value for each dollar
expended, and $2.82 of economic activity for each dollar expended” (J.L. Management Services Pty. Ltd. & Library Council
of New South Wales, 2008, p. 3). These are powerful arguments that
Missingham neglects to mention.
Library purchasing consortia are as
Missingham points out, one way for libraries to improve their collections and
save money at the same time. Though as pointed out by John Kennedy, joining
purchasing consortia to save money doesn't always work (2006, p. 142). The Electronic Resources Australia Consortium that
is discussed appears to be hit and miss in terms of library participation.
Tasmania and the Northern Territory for example, are poorly represented,
perhaps due to smaller library budgets. Furthermore, the ERA provides
subscriptions to 25 general resources, and is not appropriate for all
libraries. Missingham, who previously headed the Parliamentary Library (which is
an ERA member), and is now University Librarian at ANU (which isn't) probably
know this too well.
It is generally agreed that access to information
and communication technology is increasingly important in determining quality
of life. It is important enough for the UN to openly encourage connectivity. Missingham’s
argument for establishing quality internet access is a point well made. If we
want Australians’ to be digital citizens in a digital economy, then we have to
connect them first. The sustainability of rural areas could be more easily
assured if they were more readily connected and this is something that
Australia can greatly improve upon. There are a number of reasons for doing so,
connectivity and economic benefit chiefly among them. Once connected, nationalised electronic
resources may be a step in the right direction, but they are not a solution
that is appropriate for all libraries.
References
J.L. Management Services Pty.
Ltd., & Library Council of New South Wales. (2008). Enriching communities:
The value of public libraries in New South Wales. Sydney: Library Council of
New South Wales.
Katz, R. (2012). The Impact of
Broadband on the Economy: Research to Date and Policy Issues Braodband Series. Geneva: International
Telecommunications Union.
Kennedy, J. (2006). Collection Management: A concise
introduction (Revised Edition). Waga Waga, N.S.W.: Centre for Information
Studies.
Ministerial Declaration: ICT
for an inclusive society (2006).
Missingham, R. (2009).
Encouraging the digital economy and digital citizenship. Australian Library Journal, 58(4), 386-399.
The International
Telecommunications Union. The ITU mission: bringing the benefits of ICT to all
the world’s inhabitants Retrieved
12/12/2012, from http://www.itu.int/net/about/mission.aspx
United Nations General
Assembly. (2012). Agenda item 3: The promotion, protection and enjoyment of
human rights on the Internet Human Rights
Council Twentieth session
No comments:
Post a Comment