Libraries as Facilitators of Digital Inclusion for Sustainable Development: The Nigerian Experience

• Authors: Igbinovia Magnus Osahon , Aiyebelehin Afebuameh James

Title variants

PL

Bliblioteki jako moderatorzy włączenia cyfrowego na rzecz zrównoważonego rozwoju: doświadczenie nigeryjskie

DE

Bibliotheken als Förderer der digitalen Integration für nachhaltige Entwicklung: Die nigerianische Erfahrung

• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Background: Inclusive access and use of technology are germane to sustainable development as contained in the United Nations’ transformation agenda. As such, the need to bridge the digital gap through digital inclusion has become a critical goal for developmental institutions like libraries. Purpose: This article seeks to theoretically explore how libraries can facilitate digital inclusion for sustainable development, from the Nigerian perspective. Method: The study’s theoretical assumption hinges on the resources and appropriation theory of the diffusion, acceptance and adoption of new technologies by van Dijk (2013). The conceptualisation was based on the critical dimensions of digital inclusion (acceptance, literacy and accessibility); upon which the specific objectives of the study were structured. The opinions of the authors were situated in the context of relevant literature. Result: The study established libraries as facilitators of digital inclusion across the lines of digital acceptance, literacy and accessibility. This invariably impacts on the digital equality for sustainable development of all and sundry. Conclusion: Libraries in Nigeria, especially those attached to academic institutions are at the forefront of championing the course for digital inclusion which is a vehicle to achieving sustainable development.

PL

Tło: Inkluzyjny dostęp do technologii i korzystanie z niej są niezbędne dla zrównoważonego rozwoju zawartego w agendzie transformacji Organizacji Narodów Zjednoczonych. W związku z tym potrzeba wypełnienia luki cyfrowej poprzez integrację cyfrową stała się kluczowym celem dla instytucji rozwojowych, takich jak biblioteki. Cel: Ten artykuł ma na celu teoretyczne zbadanie, w jaki sposób biblioteki mogą ułatwić integrację cyfrową dla zrównoważonego rozwoju, z perspektywy Nigerii. Method: Teoretyczne założenie badania opiera się na teorii zasobów i zawłaszczenia dyfuzji, akceptacji i przyjęcia nowych technologii van Dijka (2013). Konceptualizacja opierała się na krytycznych wymiarach integracji cyfrowej (akceptacja, umiejętność czytania i pisania oraz dostępność); na podstawie których zorganizowano szczegółowe cele badania. Opinie autorów sytuowały się w kontekście odpowiedniej literatury. Wynik: W badaniu ustalono, że biblioteki ułatwiają integrację cyfrową w zakresie akceptacji cyfrowej, umiejętności czytania i pisania oraz dostępności. Niezmiennie wpływa to na równość cyfrową dla zrównoważonego rozwoju dla wszystkich. Wnioski: Biblioteki w Nigerii, zwłaszcza te związane z instytucjami akademickimi, przodują w promowaniu integracji cyfrowej, która jest narzędziem do osiągnięcia zrównoważonego rozwoju.

DE

Kontext: Inklusiver Zugang zur Technologie und ihre Nutzung sind wesentlich für die nachhaltige Entwicklung gemäß dem Transformationsprogramm der Vereinten Nationen. Daher ist die Schließung der digitalen Kluft durch digitale Inklusion zu einem Schlüsselziel für Entwicklungsorganisationen wie Bibliotheken geworden. Ziel: Dieser Artikel zielt darauf ab, theoretisch zu untersuchen, wie Bibliotheken die digitale Integration im Kontext der nachhaltigen Entwicklung aus nigerianischer Perspektive erleichtern können. Forschungsmethode: Die theoretischen Grundlagen dieser Studie basieren auf der Ressourcen- und Aneignungstheorie der Diffusion (resources and appropriation theory of diffusion) sowie auf den Konzepten der Akzeptanz und Adoption neuer Technologien von van Dijk (2013). Die Konzeption wurde auf den kritischen Dimensionen der digitalen Integration (Akzeptanz, Lesen und Schreiben sowie Zugänglichkeit) aufgebaut, auf deren Basis detaillierte Forschungsziele entwickelt wurden. Die Ansichten der Autoren wurden im Kontext der relevanten Literatur verortet. Forschungsergebnisse: Die Studie hat gezeigt, dass Bibliotheken die digitale Integration hinsichtlich der digitalen Akzeptanz, der Lese- und Schreibfähigkeiten sowie der Zugänglichkeit fördern. Dies trägt kontinuierlich zur digitalen Gleichstellung im Sinne einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung bei. Schlussfolgerung: Bibliotheken in Nigeria, insbesondere solche in Verbindung mit akademischen Institutionen, spielen eine führende Rolle bei der Förderung der digitalen Integration, die als Instrument zur Erreichung nachhaltiger Entwicklung dient.

Keywords

EN

Digital acceptance; digital accessibility; digital inclusion; digital literacy; libraries; Nigeria

PL

akceptacja cyfrowa; dostępność cyfrowa; włączenie cyfrowe; umiejętności cyfrowe; biblioteki; Nigeria

DE

digitale Akzeptanz; digitale Zugänglichkeit; digitale Integration; digitale Fähigkeiten; Bibliotheken; Nigeria

• Publisher: The Nicolaus Copernicus Public Provincial Library in Torun, Poland
• Journal: Folia Toruniensia
• Year: 2023
• Volume: 23
• Pages: 53-73

Contributors

author

Igbinovia Magnus Osahon

• Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

author

Aiyebelehin Afebuameh James

• Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

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Identifiers

DOI

10.12775/FT.2023.003