The Role of Public Libraries in e- Inclusion Process. The Realities and Perspectives of Lithuania 20 April 2007 Dr. Kęstutis Juškevičius Lietuvos nacionalinė Martyno Mažvydo biblioteka

Plan of presentation: e-inclusion in Lithuania, short characteristic many projects, not many results. Why? how public libraries could help?

The groups of social risk, people with disabilities Almost all inhabitants of rural areas, in which: – much bigger number of elderly people – many out of labour force – lower education level e-exclusion in Lithuania

The projects for e-inclusion in Lithuania

: 175 PIAP’s, Windows for the Future, Inter. Ministry

: 300 PIAPs, PHARE Project, Inter. Ministry

: 400 PIAPs, EU SF Project, Inter. Ministry

 1997–1999, OSF project, first 12 PIAPs in libraries  2002–2005, WF, 175 PIAPs, 90 in libraries  2005–2006, PHARE proj., 300 PIAPs, 210 in libraries  2006–2007, EU SF proj., 400 PIAPs, 380 in libraries The activity of Public Libraries

Despite of all these steps, the situation is not acceptable. “Coming from a low-performance background, Lithuania has moved into being a mid-level performer in some regards, but is still in the low end in most indicators.” Annual Report 2007 on EU i2010 Strategy Why? Many strengths and attention are paid to “supply” side, too less – to “demand” side. Problem

How we stimulated demand in Lithuania?

Digital literacy: Training activities “Windows to the Future” - training of people in “Windows to the Future” – EU SF project for training of people in rural areas in State Strategy of Universal Digital Literacy: digital literal people until 2012

Fostering of usage of IT via Community Organisations,

Naujos veiklos - mokymas Nuotolinis mokymasis Seminarai Pristatymai ir diskusijos PROJECT PIAP1

PIAP1 outreach campaigns User training: e-declaration, e-banking, e- commerce seminars Contest for seniors “How Internet helps me to take care of my health” “Best PIAP tutor” contest E-cards, digital photos contests

WHY IT WAS NOT SUCESSFULLY ENOUGH? WHAT WE PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE?

LIBRARIES FOR INNOVATION GOAL: To achieve, through strengthening and using the capacities of public libraries, a considerably better use of the possibilities of information technologies among all the Lithuanian population for obtaining useful information and communication

Key tasks Equipping all the perspective and yet non- informatized public libraries with public Internet access, and expanding and modernizing public Internet access in the libraries already having it Strengthening, in essence, information competence of public libraries’ staff and helping them to become active promoters and helpers of the local community in mastering the possibilities of information technologies

THANK YOU