Towards digital inclusion in South Africa : the role of public libraries and the way forward

Abstract

Digital inclusion continues to be a recurring theme and pose serious challenge in achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goal. Factors such as growing population, age, gender, education, economy etc., continue to play a major role in inhibiting people’s digital access. As a result of the instant exchange of information, people now have access to knowledge, information, data, and other useful things to them than the world has ever recorded in history. People then see the need to be digital inclusive and to be part of the fascinating historical development of ICTs. To enhance people digital inclusiveness, the role of public libraries cannot be overemphasized. This study explores the role of public libraries in making ICTs more accessible to the populations of South Africa, and how these libraries increase ICTs relevance to people’s lives, needs, aspirations, and ultimately, in bridging the digital divide. This study adopts the digital divide approach in discussing the state and role of public libraries in South Africa in bridging the digital gap among its citizens. The authors integrate data from studies on digital inclusion and from Public Library Access studies to give clearer picture on the issue of digital inclusion and the role of public libraries in South Africa. This study found that digital inclusion goes beyond internet literacy and computer access, but it signifies technical proficiency and people’s ability to access appropriate digital services and contents as and when needed. This study also found that the public libraries play an indispensable role in providing and sustaining digital inclusion for people across South Africa, however not without some challenges.