The LIS sector knows the importance of digital inclusion and we know New Zealand libraries already work in this space to support people with digital challenges. LIANZA was one of the first 20 organisations who pledged support for the Five Point Plan for Digital Inclusion in May this year. With this is mind, LIANZA supports CAB’s digital exclusion petition and urges New Zealand librarians and libraries to support and promote it too.
Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand, Ngā Pou Whakawhirinaki o Aotearoa, are asking election candidates to pledge their commitment to the following:
- Leave no-one behind: Ensure that steps are taken to address digital exclusion and that no-one is left behind or left out because they can’t or don’t wish to engage online.
- Public services accessible to all: Implement accessibility and inclusion standards for the delivery of public services that include offline channels as part of the proactive design of government service delivery.
- CAB compensated for cost-shifting: Ensure that the Citizens Advice Bureau is properly funded to meet the demands and cost-shifting that has resulted from government services going online.
 | CAB have written to election candidates asking them to commit to addressing digital exclusion so that no-one is left behind or left out because they can't or don't wish to engage online. This campaign builds on the findings and recommendations of their report, ‘Face to Face with digital exclusion’. You can read the full report here. |
LIANZA have also sent our own burning questions to candidates, including this one on Digital Inclusion:
Supporting digital inclusion has become everyday work for libraries and library staff (Hartnett, 2020). With public libraries in 314 towns and cities around the country, plus libraries in schools, tertiary institutions and prisons, our sector plays an essential role in facilitating digital inclusion.
What would your party do to ensure that libraries can effectively implement strategies to increase digital inclusion in their communities?
So, sign the petition and ask your local candidates what they pledge to do to support digital inclusion.
Supporting digital inclusion has become everyday work for libraries and library staff (Hartnett, 2020). With public libraries in 314 towns and cities around the country, plus libraries in schools, tertiary institutions and prisons, our sector plays an essential role in facilitating digital inclusion.
What would your party do to ensure that libraries can effectively implement strategies to increase digital inclusion in their communities?
So, sign the petition and ask your local candidates what they pledge to do to support digital inclusion.
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