Module Six: Final Reflection

Module Six     James Haske IRLS551         Spring 2007 

Before beginning this class, I had minimal understanding of the issues relating to equity of access for diverse populations.  That said, the exercises in this course presented for each module have proven to be helpful in my research, and have allowed me to more accurately search out other related information and explore the concerns of access to diverse populations.  From this course I have learned that a digital divide does exist and that for some segments of the population, it is continuing to widen.

            We are currently at a major crossroad in the story of Native American populations as they work to find identity and place within our modern society. Telecommunications and information technology will play a large role in this effort, as Native Americans begin to use these tools to support community-building in all its aspects: economic development, education, health, law enforcement, environmental management, and cultural preservation.  New partnerships will be formed and new endeavors, unique to the goals and values of Native American people, will be created.

In module three, I studied concerns of the Latino population and it became clear that immigration legislation can have a drastic and immediate effect on the cause for improving access to technology to diverse populations.  As Americans, we must question policies that install roadblocks to acquiring the skills needed to become national citizens, and examine if they lead in a direction that supports the ideals this country was founded upon.

Technologies are changing the ways many people are getting and transmitting their information. These technologies have the ability to further alienate populations like the Native Americans, Latinos, the elderly, the poor, those with learning disabilities and the visually impaired, by making it more difficult for information and meaning to be accessed. However, these same technologies also have the ability to provide new ways to provide information and meaning to those with disabilities and it is the job of libraries to ensure that these technologies do so.

            Currently in society there is a need for the provision and implementation of outreach services as an area of social responsibility inherent to the library sciences profession.   As librarians, we are obligated to take steps necessary to provide equal and unbiased access to our populations to the best of our abilities.  No matter what our specific library situation, there is an obligation to consider equal access for all, and do what we are able to make decisions and policies to benefit the great good of both society and also our profession.

From the research in this course, I have also gained a similar appreciation for the important role that community centers, including libraries, play in helping diverse populations begin exploring and familiarizing themselves with technology.  I still question for myself, are we doing enough, and is what we are doing effective, but regardless, it is still a step in the right direction

The majority of the readings that I explored during this course sought to uncover the degree the digital divide exists, define the underlying causes, and measure what impact they have on various ethnic groups and cultures.  With regards to my own judgments, the readings that have been the most beneficial are those that focus on the implications and solutions to specific underserved populations.  The modules three and four, which focused on access by Latinos and Native Americans, have been very relevant as they are pressing issues in the service learning project I completed.  The facility I selected has a large Latino population, as well as a few Native Americans, and the difficulties they experience in accessing technology have been apparent in my project.

As far as steps that can be taken, there are a few ways to work toward a goal for public libraries of universal access to high-quality services. The creation of innovative programs and services that target the needs of the elderly, the poor, recent immigrants, and those with disabilities will be major steps in slowing the digital divide.  As a nation, we should consider the needs of the underserved populations our national information policies and programs.  Federal agencies, foundations, businesses, and policy makers must include diverse populations in their scope of telecommunications and technology growth and opportunities. Once this is able to be accomplished, any barriers or issues regarding their situation can be identified and solutions may be developed.

For my service learning project I performed twenty five hours of service learning at the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Avondale, Arizona.  During that time, I explored the areas of concern of diverse populations as they accessed technology.   My service learning also was an opportunity to dig deeper into the issues surrounding access to technology and complimented the course work that I was performing in class.While I was working with the students, I kept in mind the information from class assignments about access to technology that was studied in the first two modules and can clearly see how having regular access to a computer might yield an advantage compared to households where computer use is limited.  In one of my earliest activities, what I considered to be a simple task such as filling out an online form or application seemed secondhand, but by working with the students, I now see that for some, such tasks are not that easy.  My participation in the service learning project was a great way to add real life experience to what I had learned in class. The service learning project helped me realize that the digital divide is not just access to the Internet but also in the use of software and other related technology.   By not being familiar with what I considered to be modern basic software programs, students would be at a disadvantage compared to job candidates that were familiar with this technology. 

In module three we explored the topic of information access by Latino populations and one of the factors citied in a number of the readings was that on average, Latino workers do not work in positions where they regularly use or have access to computers and technology.  Many work in manual labor positions and do not gain the familiarity with technology that others do by working in a professional office environment.  In the service learning project it became clear that access to technology involves more than just having a computer in the home, but also is affected by computers at school, work, and other areas where people may become comfortable using them.

            Since I currently work in a library setting, I can clearly see how the focus of this course supports the goals of organizations such as the American Library Association – ALA, because a foundational principle of our profession is to remain committed to intellectual freedom, and promote the access of information.  The idea of an informed and free public is the basis for the modern society we live in, and with that said, this course so far has been an eye opening experience as I realize how much work is still left to be done.