4. Libraries as learning environments‐
develop the potential of libraries
in local community
How can libraries support lifelong learning,
integration, social and digital participation?
Core strategy:
Expand co‐operation with adult education bodies,
the voluntary sector and other municipal actors
Funds from:
East Sweden region/ The Swedish Arts Council/ Internet Infrastructure Foundation .SE
5. Problems and issues
1. Libraries in Swedish society
A major impact compared with other cultural
and aducational institutions.
- Every third person is active borrower
- High level of public confindense
But…
- Library visits are declining
- Increasingly fewer visits among the low-
educated
Anne Hederén, Länsbibliotek Östergötland
anne.hederen@ostsam.se
6. Problems and issues
2. Lifelong flexibel learning
Distance students have trebled in the past decade.
New demands on support structurs and public
learning environments
‐ What demands does the flexibel learning make on
librarie’s technology, cooperation, environment,
media, areas of expertise an co‐ordniation?
Anne Hederén, Länsbibliotek Östergötland
anne.hederen@ostsam.se
8. Problems and issues
4. Digital exclusion in Sweden and Östergötland
A growing digital divide
1,7 million people do not use Internet.
1,5 million people make very little use of it = 1 out of 4
Regional survey in 2008
1300 residents of this county – 35 % did not use the
Internet at all.
Anne Hederén, Länsbibliotek Östergötland
anne.hederen@ostsam.se
10. Problems and issues
Problems and issues ‐
6. E‐service increases in society ‐ and in the libraries
Essential civic functions are relocated to the Internet
Libraries offer an increasing number of Web services
E‐service producers need to focus on the users
Anne Hederén, Länsbibliotek Östergötland
anne.hederen@ostsam.se
12. Solutions –
2. Develope the role of libraries in introducing immigrants
Civic information and
Internet guidance
- Libraries providing civic
information to both recently
arrived and older
immigrants groups.
- Library services comprise
an obligatory part of the
civic information course that
all municipalities provide
- Internet guidance with
bilingual tutors
13. Solutions –
3. Free Internet courses on the right learning level
Courses in basic Internet use led
by library staff:
Internet for beginners –
an Internet course in four stages
1. Computer basics
2. Writing using a computer
3. What is Internet?
4. E‐mail for beginners
14. Hughe respons…
Article in
local newspaper in
Finspång mars 2010
resulted in 200
applications in one
week
15. Solutions –
4. Coach individual needs
Individual tuition
Offered as booked appoint‐
ment or drop‐in, e.g.:
Help getting started to use the
Internet, signing up for e‐mail
or using the library cathalogue
or databases
16. Solutions –
5. Temptate with content
Curios about the net? ‐ Themed
reviews, e.g.:
Travel
Telephone, addresses and maps
Health
Newspapers, magazines and blogs
Social media
17. Solutions –
6. Cooperation with adult education ass. to max. efficiency
Free study circles offered on
library premises
‐ Tutors providing their services free of
charge (unemployed or students but
mostly active pensioners)
‐”Old teaching old”
‐ Libraries find the tutors through their
contact network
‐ Expanding into rural districts
19. Comment on the campaign from the libraries:
”Greater awareness of the role of libraries
in the information society. Excellent
goodwill and much appreciation of the
library. We have discovered new actors to
co-operate with and have learned to take
a wider view. We have had proof that there
is a great interest and desire to learn
about computers and Internet.”
20. Findings so far‐
Study circles give added value and reach
out to new groups
‐ increase learning effeciency and
utilization of resourses
Co‐operation and regional coordination
‐ knowledge acquistition and development
methodolgy
‐ exchange of experiences and inspiration
Anne Hederén, Länsbibliotek Östergötland
anne.hederen@ostsam.se
22. Findings so far‐
Demonstrate needs and offer
solutions for goodwill and
media impact
‐ referenses to local and
national surveys
‐ attention in media give local
response
‐ politicans notice the library
Anne Hederén, Länsbibliotek Östergötland
anne.hederen@ostsam.se
23. Libraries play a role in the development of society
but they must show how…
”It’s good for the brain to
learn about the Internet.
Maybe it helps you live
longer”
Gun 77 years
