Cross Party Group on Digital Participation 02.04.14

The Cross Party Group on Digital Participation met at Holyrood on the 2^nd of April. Professor Michael Fourman was the first of the evening’s three speakers. He spoke about the forthcoming Royal Society of Edinburgh’s (RSE) final report on digital participation, having co-chaired the Group which prepared it. The interim report has been quite controversial in LIS circles as it only devoted only six lines to libraries but despite that, there were three errors/misleading statements. He spoke for a while on the extensive research that the RSE had done on access to the Internet. This was illustrated with many graphs and charts. He noted that a new area had been added to the report on the subject of people’s motivation. Then he went onto the subject of Information Literacy skills. “Information Literacy for all” was prominent-indeed first on the list-a very welcome change from previous occasions when he seemed oblivious to them.

Ian McCracken congratulated him on the very useful research that had been done on access but noted that while Information Literacy had not received the same kind of detailed analysis, all the indications, for example, from the research done in a West Lothian school which he had previously drawn to the attention of the Group, and all the other indications showed how important it was to focus equally on information literacy as well as access.

Chris Yiu from the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisation was the next speaker. His emphasis throughout his presentation was skills focussed; noting that data showed that 30% of people in Scotland lacked basic online skills i.e  1.3 million. He cited a figure of £100 million to remedy this (a figure which later occasioned much argument and not a little scorn-though surely an investment rather than an expenditure)

Chris looked at six areas in which SCVO was operating. These included several in which skills featured prominently

1)      digital interns-volunteers helping voluntary organisations to enhance their use of the Internet

2)      Basic online skills assistance

3)      Resources for “champions”

In responding, Ian highlighted the importance of developing an overarching skills framework that would encompass these areas, wider learning and also the Curriculum for Excellence. Both John Crawford and Bill Johnston made helpful contributions to the debate

The final speaker from the Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) raised serious concerns about the expectations and demands that had been placed on benefit seekers having to use the Internet for universal credit and online job applications; including the shocking research figure that 76% would struggle to apply for a benefit online. That excellent work was being done by libraries was acknowledged by several speakers and endorsed by Fiona McLeod MSP and the new CEO of SLIC Amina Shah, Sean McNamara-CILIPS Policy and Digital Officer also highlighted the demands this put on staff, as each person had to have individual help – it was impossible to run an internet skills class since each claimant was different and information was confidential. The  speaker seemed to share RSE’s previously stated view that computer suites in schools should be opened up to the public which although an admirable idea in principle raises severe practical difficulties. 

The narrative of the meeting showed a welcome shift from access and infrastructure issues to skill development although Professor Fourman’s presentation was still heavily focused on access and infrastructure issues.

Thanks to Ian McCracken in compiling this report.

John Crawford