Encouraging the digital economy and digital citizenship (Roxanne Missingham, 2009)

This article discusses information choices for those living in rural Australia. The article outlines achievements of libraries in supporting Australians to become more digitally adept (Missingham, 2009, pg. 387). It discusses the relevance and importance public libraries have in rural communities. It discusses the amount of Australians that have broadband access (64%) however suggests that those Australians living outside capital cities, not having rapid broadband access means that pdf files may not open, videos cannot be played, and access to quality information is limited by the extra costs of subscriptions (Missingham, 2009, pg. 388).

It is important that Australians living in rural communities have access to information resources. In 2003, an inquiry by The Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee inquired into the role of libraries in the online environment. The passion of disadvantaged Australians was evident in many submissions (Missingham, 2009, pg. 389).

The article quotes one frequent user of public libraries as saying that in cities there is generally reasonable access to computers and free internet at convenient locations and opening hours. However when this user moved to regional NSW, they found that libraries were more limited. The submission suggested that country residents do not have adequate free access to the online environment due to the State Government Funding in New South Wales being over 50% less than any other State, and there is no direct Federal Funding for libraries (Missingham, 2009, pg. 389). It may be that online costs are higher in the country however if the Government was to put more funding into libraries and the information industry, this would allow more staff to teach rural Australians about the online environment and internet use.

This excerpt included in the article by Missingham highlights an important issue for regional communities. In my view it is important that rural communities not miss out on having access to information resources just because they live in a regional centre. Rural centres should not miss out on decent access to public libraries given that the information industry can contribute immensely to regional communities.

The article discusses how access to online information is scarce in rural communities however, as the frequent user that was previously mentioned suggested, libraries in these communities have limited opening hours which also reduces access to any books the libraries might hold. For example school assignments, general knowledge or just a good novel that a patron may not want to purchase but want to borrow from a library is limited due to very limited opening hours and no funding to purchase materials. Public libraries in rural communities are important and although the article discusses mainly online resources, print material is also important to have access to.

Missingham's article was very good as it discussed the importance of having online access and computer resources available in public libraries in rural communities. The article could have devoted more time to considering whether improving facilities in public libraries is preferable to focusing on improving connections and training of people in their own homes. It may be that improving library facilities is an efficient way of improving the communities knowledge and skills in using the internet, both in the library itself and in their own home.