In a time where we rely so heavily on digital connectivity, how can we ensure that library communities have the resources and support they need to stay connected?
What does digital literacy have to do with participating in biomedical research? Digital literacy skills and access to and confidence in using technology are essential for participation in biomedical research, especially All of Us, which is almost entirely digital.
What are we doing about it?
Guess, what? Public libraries are already doing something about it.
A national survey from the Public Library Association shows that libraries play an expanded role in digital equity, bridging taps in access to technology.
How can public libraries use digital literacy programs to support participation in biomedical research?
- Connect the dots for your patrons: Digital literacy courses on how to sign up for an email address, create a safe and secure password, use a mouse are just a few examples of digital literacy skills that are needed to participate in research: get updates from the program, book appointments, complete consent forms, and fill out online surveys about your health.
- Promote your library's resources and classes to program participants in your community: Supporting digital literacy skill building with program participants provides value to participants by helping them become more confident in using the information they receive back from the program to make informed decisions about their health. and by looking for medical information online. We can help you
- Offer new programs and resources that help community members become aware of the program, sign up if they are interested, and actively participate as much as they wish.
According to ALA, nearly 90% of libraries offer digital literacy training, and a significant majority support training related to using new technology devices (62%), safe online practices (57%), and social media use (56%).
-
Health Online: Finding Information You Can Trust Curriculum Material
Curriculum Instructions- PowerPoint Slide Deck for use in training
- Program Script: Instructors guide to facilitate training
- Handout 1: Contents include website checklist, list of websites to visit for health information and what using online resources for your health allows you to do
- Handout 2: Contents include searching for health information, reading a webpage, looking for credibility, other online resources
- Handout 3: Contents include additional resources that aided in the creation of the curriculum
Learn how to use the digital literacy curriculum by watching The Importance of Digital Literacy and its Impact on Understanding Health Information.
-
Learn Internet Skills Online
Learn Skills TodayAll of Us wants its participants to participate as partners in the program. Learning online skills will help to keep program participants informed and up-to-date on All of Us activities and events. To help address the digital divide, All of Us has partnered with NNLM to create a series of free, online learning modules on select digital health literacy topics:
- Get a Free Email Address
- All of Us Keeps Your Information Safe
- Avoid Scams and Phishing
- Create a Strong & Easy-to-Remember Password
- Find Reliable Health Information Online: Website Detective
- Use MedlinePlus to Find Reliable Health Information
What can I do with these modules?
- embed them into your website
- use them in a digital literacy class or program
- share them out via social media
-
Free Digital Health Literacy Posters
Explore More ResourcesWhat can I do with these posters?
- embed them into your website
- hang them in your library or around your community
- use them in a digital literacy class or program
- share them out via social media
Other Digital Health Literacy Resources for Libraries
- Access online digital literacy skills at digitallearn.org
- See how Wisconsin Health Literacy is supporting digital health literacy in their state at wisconsinliteracy.org/healthliteracy
- Learn more about digital inclusion from WebJunction
- The National Digital Inclusion Alliance provides resources on access to technology at digitalinclusion.org
- LibrariesTransform offers free toolkits on digital literacy and health literacy at ilovelibraries.org/librariestransform
- MedlinePlus offers guides to health web surfing and evaluating health information
- The Public Library Association offers resources on digital literacy and tools for healthy communities.