Media Release
26 July 2023
Libraries Tasmania is committed to lifelong learning and expanding opportunities for Tasmanians to improve their digital skills.
The latest Australian Digital Inclusion Index (ADII) was released on 18 July 2023 and showed that Tasmania’s overall digital inclusion score increased from 67.5 in 2020 to 73.2 in 2022. This is a positive outcome, but state-wide results demonstrate significant differences between ages, education, income and local government areas.
The ADII measures three key areas of access, affordability, and digital ability across the country.
Public libraries are recognised by the ADII as a critical service bridging Australia’s digital divide.
Libraries Tasmania provides a range of services designed to build the digital ability within the Tasmanian community.
At 45 public libraries across the state, Libraries Tasmania supports digital inclusion for Tasmanians by providing free high-speed Wi-Fi and access to more than 500 devices.
Hundreds of trained staff and volunteers provide digital help for all ages through one-to-one and group sessions.
The digital help programs explore using smartphones, email and the internet. One-to-one help includes a range of assistance such as navigating digital government services and troubleshooting digital problems. These programs allow the community to receive personalised, face-to-face help in their local area.
Through the 26Ten Coalition and the Adult Literacy Service, Libraries Tasmania also offers free learning programs to develop literacy and numeracy which are foundational to developing digital skills.
To get the support offered by Libraries Tasmania please visit your local library, explore https://libraries.tas.gov.au/get-help/ or call 1800 808 303.
Information about the Libraries Tasmania digital programs is available through the online event guide. More information on The Australian Digital Inclusion Index is available at www.digitalinclusionindex.org.au.
Libraries Tasmania, Communications and Marketing 0417 465 669