Lack of Access 101: How Public Libraries Combat Disparities and Bridge the Digital Divide

Posted in: #CC/Academic List, #Health Interest List, #Health Sciences List, #Public/K-12 List, All Members

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Lack of Access 101: How public libraries combat disparities and bridge the digital divide

Date(s): May 12, 2023

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MT

What is the digital divide? What is meant by lack of access? How are public libraries addressing this issue?

This 1-hour webinar is designed for new library workers and librarians who will utilize the skill of the reference interview to learn how to provide access to online health and medical information to members of their community that are deemed medically underserved due to lack of Wi-Fi, decreased internet connectivity, and video chat or webcam technology.

This live 1-hour presentation will include time for Q&A.

Join our guest presenter, Carlette Dennis. Ms. Dennis previously worked in a public library system for ten years before her current position as a National Library of Medicine Associate Fellow.

This presentation addresses increasing health information access and use and the NNLM initiative of Bridging the Digital Divide.

Objectives:

1. Participants will leave knowing how to assist non-technology-savvy patrons with finding health resources in person and online.
2. Participants will be introduced to what other public libraries around the U.S. are doing to address the lack of access to internet services within their communities.
3. Participants will leave this training with a better understanding of their role as an advocate for access to health resources.
4. Participants will leave with an understanding of the digital divide and how it affects members of the community they serve.