by Donna Chanderpaul-Singh, Librarian II, TAMCC
This is 4th part in the series Why do libraries still matter today. Part 1 gave an overview of libraries, including a historical sketch of libraries and their evolving roles. Part 2 elaborated on its role in information literacy and continuous learning. Part 3 looked at how libraries build communities.
Part 4 addresses the growing digital divide, which created a relatively new role for libraries, and ends with the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ (IFLA) vision for librarianship. Throughout the series, for illustration purposes, reference is made largely to the T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) library.
What is this digital divide? Basically, the digital divide refers to the gap between people who can access digital technologies … versus those who cannot (TechTarget, 2025). But the topic of digital divide is multifaceted with extensive ramifications on all levels: individual, organisational, national, regional, global. The United Nations is constantly keeping track; its records show that 2.9 billion people are still offline (Department of Social and Economic Affairs). This translates to about 37% of the world’s population, or nearly 30,000 times Grenada’s population, who, for various reasons, have no access to the internet. For many of us with access, this is difficult to imagine. Just one day without our mobiles and we feel lost, and often we are indeed disconnected because several of our applications require mobile verification. Now consider the many sustained disadvantages (education, health, job opportunities, just to name a few) from which almost one third of the world suffers, and we can appreciate the enormity of the digital divide and why governments are constantly striving to lessen this gap through numerous projects and programmes.
About a year ago, I was at an ATM. A young woman and an older woman were using the neighbouring ATM. Suddenly, the young woman started berating the older woman for not understanding the simple messages on the screen after several attempts. Instinctively, I turned to assist, hoping to diffuse the situation, but managed to hold my peace just in time, for beneath the loud, defensive tone of the older woman, I heard embarrassment. This is a perfect example of another type of related divide between the digital native who is comfortable with computer technology and the digital refugee who struggles to use technology effectively and may even have different ways of learning (IFLA, 2025).
What can libraries do to bridge the digital divide? A public library, equipped with computers, would give access to a wide cross-section of people. Additionally, it may offer programmes to teach digital refugees and digital immigrants, those who learn the necessary digital skills over time, most likely as adults (IFLA, 2025). TAMCC Library, an academic library, has an adequate number of laptops, thanks to the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) project, and a few desktops for our patrons — TAMCC students, staff, faculty — to use. While we don’t yet have any particular programmes, individual patrons often request assistance, and we can help them. Though most of our students can be classified as digital natives, there are still many surprising weak areas. Students are sometimes more comfortable asking for assistance in the library since the dynamics within the library differ from those in the classroom. In any case, the library does not operate under a rigid curriculum like the classroom; it has more leeway to develop support programmes. Transdisciplinary in nature, the academic library is positioned to support all subject areas offered by its institution. But this venture requires consistent collaboration among the relevant stakeholders, including regular upskilling of library personnel.
In conclusion, let’s revisit the question: Why do libraries still matter today? Indian librarian and mathematician, Ranganathan’s (1931) fifth law of library science states that a library is a growing organism. Growth suggests change; therefore, the library must change to meet the needs of contemporary society. Unfortunately, many libraries are beleaguered, in probably equal parts, by paucity of funds and vision. As a result, they may not be completely fit for purpose, fuelling the perception of redundancy. Parts 2, 3 and 4 of this series examine how the evolved roles of libraries can promote information literacy, continuous learning, community building and a lessening of the digital divide, all essentials for survival in our digital society. Moreover, the leading library authority, IFLA, soon to be 100 years in existence, continues to support librarianship robustly, devising strategies and working within the lens of its vision: Sustainable future for all through knowledge and information.
