Beyond Screens: Utilising Outdoor Programming to Support Digital Literacy Development and Other Skill-building Initiatives in North American Public Libraries

Abstract

Libraries within North America are invaluable and unique institutions that play a crucial role in community development. They promote essential skills such as digital literacy, communication, and modern educational and career skills through a variety of public initiatives and programs. Though the value of these establishments and their current offerings are well recognised, further potential may lie in the increased provision of outdoor library services. Although the benefits technology provides to society are undeniable, the prevalence of screens in daily life and the potential negative impact of excessive screen time highlights the importance of fostering meaningful connections with the outdoors and developing skills in environments outside of the digital realm.

Given the limited existing material on this specific topic, the following research seeks to explore the definite benefits outdoor programming may offer when it comes to digital literacy development and other skill-building initiatives in North American public libraries. In doing so it considers two gaps: that between communities and technology arising out of a lack of digital literacy skills, and that between nature and technology which results in the alienation of communities from the environment. An interpretivist philosophy and inductive approach were therefore observed in conducting a review of 100 libraries’ programme offerings, in addition to surveying 21 library professionals regarding the future potential of outdoor programmes with relation to digital literacy and other library services.