The Greater Hamilton library is celebrating after recently gaining status as an eSmart Library service.
eSmart Libraries is one of the most significant community cybersafety initiatives ever undertaken in Australia and is a framework designed to equip libraries and connect library users with the skills they need for smart, safe and responsible use of technology.
Southern Grampians Shire Mayor Cr Mary-Ann Brown says the achievement is a significant step in the right direction for the Greater Hamilton library.
“The e-Smart program is an innovative tool to help councils and schools to provide a safe, smart and responsible public space for their communities. Being eSmart means knowing how to guard against security and privacy risks, being able to research and download content in ways that are ethical and legal, and being able to manage reputation and relationship-based issues associated with being in cyberspace.
“eSmart provides a great opportunity for our library staff to expand their digital capacity. We welcome the introduction of eSmart Libraries and the chance to demonstrate our leadership role, both within our organisation and for the wider community,” said Cr Brown.
More than half of the population are public library members, who make over 110 million visits a year to 1,500 public libraries across Australia. More than one third of these libraries are already participating in the eSmart program.
The program was launched in 2012 and is a partnership between the Telstra foundation and the Alannah and Madeline foundation, investing $8 million over six years, to develop and implement eSmart Libraries.
Both Foundations recognise that libraries are an essential community resource for supporting digital inclusion and play an increasingly important role in bridging the digital divide by improving opportunities for all Australians to access the benefits of technology irrespective of income, ability or disadvantage.
“The accreditation has been the culmination of a great deal of hard work by our library team and we will continue our efforts to integrate eSmart principles into our daily operations, staff development and into our library programming,” Cr Brown concluded.