National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking
Information
Technology Agenda
Introduction
Demographics
of the Digital Divide
The
Need for Latino Digital Collections
Providing
Access to Latino Digital Collections
Advancing
the Organization through Technology
Recommendations
Introduction
Because
of REFORMA's unique position as a national organization that is involved with
literacy, information, libraries and underserved populations, it is important
for REFORMA to develop an information technology policy agenda. This means
being aware of government and corporate policies that affect access to information
technologies, as well as formulating and advocating for public policy that
furthers our overall agenda. Some of the current technology policy areas are:
universal service (often called e-rate); communications policies concerning
cable television and direct broadcast satellites; and national legislation
that authorizes grant funds for technology projects. Public Space in Cyberspace, a 1999 publication of Libraries for the
Future, provides information on how organizations like REFORMA can go about
working on information technology policy at the local, state, and national
levels.
Demographics
of the Digital Divide
The
Secretary of the Department of Commerce, William M. Daley, recently commented
"In a society that increasingly relies on computers and the Internet
to deliver information and enhance communication we need to make sure that
all Americans have access." A number of recent studies reveal that there
are disparities in access to telephones, personal computers, and the Internet. These disparities are marked by race, ethnicity,
income, education, physical disabilities, and place of residence. These inequalities
signal not only lack of access to technologies but, more fundamentally, access
to resources, which are becoming critical in today's society. It is in this
larger sense that we refer to a "digital divide" between the haves
and the have-nots. The use of high technologies among Latino communities is
only now beginning to be investigated. Currently we do not have a demographic
profile of Latinos that includes key technology and communication variables.
At the national level the Falling through the Net series published by the National Telecommunications
and Information Administration (NTIA) has provided the most useful information.
This influential series has noted that there is not only a persistent but
also an increasing gap in computer and on-line use among Latinos and African
Americans. The Tomás Rivera Policy Institute has also made important contributions
to our understanding of these issues, especially in the areas of computer
ownership and school use. Regional trends are beginning to be tracked by research
organizations like the Center for Virtual Research at the University of California,
Riverside. Early studies on high technologies in Latino communities focused
on computer ownership. While the initial studies began to make the case that
a "digital divide" exists, they told us little about how and where
people were using these new technologies. More recent surveys have begun to
include questions about types of computers, modems, on-line access and use
and have begun to track where people use computers. More targeted studies
such as those that focus on media use (Kaiser) and civic participation (Public
Policy Institute of California) have also found evidence of a digital divide.
Some recent industry-based surveys suggest that the divide is disappearing. While these industry-based studies suggest
higher Internet use by minorities they are often based on vary small sample
sizes, only target individuals with phone access, and focus almost exclusively
on access versus use. Possession a
486-based computer with 14.4 K modem means marginal participation on today’s
information highway. We will also
need to track the introduction of other digital devices such as digital assistants
e.g. pagers and monitor digital television as they begin broaden the ways
in which people use high technologies. Most importantly we need to move beyond
tracking access and focus on measuring what the National Research Council
describes as information fluency. Information
fluency includes the ability to use today’s computer applications and enables
to apply information technology immediately; requires people to understand
the basic principles and ideas of computers, networks, and information, which
underpin technology; and possess the intellectual capabilities to apply information
technology in complex and sustained situations (Being Fluent with Information
Technology, 1999). Reformistas
can contribute to public understanding in this area by becoming aware of the
issues, sharing that awareness with others, commenting on national studies,
and advocating for local surveys in their region that document the use of
high technologies in low-income communities. We need to advocate and work
for the construction of a Latino demographic profile, which includes relevant
technological variables. Only then can we begin to more adequately plan for
the future.
Impact
of New Library Technology Resources on Latinos
While
the introduction of new technologies is not new for libraries, the introduction
of personal computers and the Internet as resources for patrons presents new
challenges and opportunities. Libraries are recognized as strategic sites,
which can help, address the inequities in access to technology resources.
In fact, libraries have been specifically identified as potential recipients
in many federal programs, such as the e-rate, aimed at employing high technologies
in local communities. Libraries have also been the recipients of funds from
private donors such as the Gates Foundation. As Reformistas, we are
particularly interested in exploring the impact of library deployment of new
technology resources, including Internet access, CD-ROM's, scanners, or word
processing on Latinos. As practicing
librarians we know that many libraries started offering Internet access without
a thought about their Latino communities. Evidence of this was the lack of
advertising of these Internet resources and/or programs directed to the Latino
communities and the paucity of Internet classes conducted in Spanish and/or
with culturally relevant examples. Many times it took a Reformista
to provide the appropriate outreach and services to Latinos. The failure of many public libraries and public
academic libraries to provide technological resources to Latino communities
must be documented and addressed. More research needs to be done to ascertain
the extent to which the library community is making technology resources accessible
and relevant to Latinos. To that end, in March, 1998 Isabel Espinal of REFORMA's
Information Technology Committee (ITC) produced a draft of a library survey,
"Survey of Technology Service to the Spanish-speaking and Latinos"
(available on the ITC website: <http://www.reforma.org/ITC/>). One organization, which has begun to address
how librarians can support public access computing for Spanish-speaking patrons,
is the GCTA Spanish Language Public Access Computing Project, a partnership
between the Gates Center for Technology Access and public libraries throughout
the country. REFORMA can serve as an independent monitor and resource for
such projects that have corporate origins, as well as a partner, when appropriate.
But once Latinos gain access
to technology, whether through libraries or through personal efforts, the
question arises as to what impact the technology actually has on our economic,
cultural, and personal lives. Rather than viewing that access as a panacea,
it will become even more important to understand what obstacles and opportunities
these new technologies hold for Latinos. There are many important questions
for REFORMA to address. Does technology bridge the gap between immigrants
and their countries of origin? In one librarian's words, we have to recognize
the impact "of free access to e-mail for those without means; the ability
to reconnect with homeland while trying to make sense of this new place called
home." Will Internet technologies, such as “cookies” or “agents,” which
provide a general threat to individual’s privacy place immigrants at increased
risk? Does technology help keep distinctive
Latino cultures alive or does it lead to greater homogenization? Does technology
help keep Latino families united or help tear them apart?
The workplace is another
area where the impact of technology on Latinos needs to be investigated. Additionally,
the impact of technology specifically on the workplace and working conditions
of Latino librarians should be examined and addressed. Information technology holds many exciting
promises but also many dangers. Information
technology has often lead to greater democratization of the workplace. For
example, through electronic communication, such as e-mail, employees have
access to administrators that was not there before. Also there is often much
greater communication laterally. Additionally, for some Latinos electronic
communication is preferable to oral communication in the workplace because
they are less likely to be judged by their spoken accent (De Alfaro). Email
for Latinos also allows for communication across geographic boundaries and
reduces the isolation that many Latino professional face in their work environments
by facilitating communication with other Latino professionals in their field
on a daily basis. This is evident in REFORMANET, the REFORMA National electronic
discussion list. Yet, for some Latinos, the new reliance in organizations
on e-mail as a communication tool over phone communication may lead to greater
discrimination against them due to the way e-mail is text and literacy-based.
REFORMA's Information Technology
Committee feels these are areas where research, discussion and advocacy need
to be developed. REFORMA also has a role in gathering, using, and furthering
the research of those who are studying these vital questions, such as anthropologist
Arturo Escobar and communications professor Henry Geddes.
Awareness
and Instruction in an Age of Emerging Technologies
How
will our communities be made aware of new technologies such as digital television,
digital phone lines, cable modems, online banking, virtual reality, electronic
books, and information appliances? Recent media coverage of the Internet has
helped contribute to misunderstandings, misconceptions and, at times, unrealistic
expectations. REFORMA has an important role in promoting awareness of new
technologies and instruction on how to use them. It can assist in promoting
non-biased, informative, relevant and up-to-date information about these new
technologies. This information should be non-threatening, easy-to-understand,
and straightforward on hidden costs and possible social ramifications (such
as privacy issues) associated with these technologies. It should also be focused
on our current understanding of the demographic characteristics of Latinos.
From recent studies we know that there is a correlation between educational
attainment, computer ownership and Internet use. Latinos as a group have low
educational attainment and low literacy rates.
Literacy is a serious issue, which needs to be more fully addressed
in our communities. Many Latino households have little or no experience with
technology. Many lack basic information technology skills such as keyboarding
and mouse skills. Instructional programs should take into account demographic
background such as language, education level, literacy, age, and access to
technology. Emphasis should also be placed on instructing users how to critically
evaluate the information they find on the Internet as well as reminding them
that the Internet is only one source for information. Traditional sources
such as books and print reference works still contain useful information and
many times are the only source on a particular subject. While it is important
to acknowledge that many libraries and librarians have begun to provide instruction
to their communities about these technologies, much more needs to be done.
In addition to libraries, other places offering access to technology, including
community technology centers, K-12 schools, community colleges and local universities,
should be encouraged and supported in these efforts. Productive partnerships
are being formed between librarians and outside agencies to promote information
fluency to Latinos. These efforts need to be multiplied and extended. REFORMA
should gather data on these instructional programs and partnerships, illustrating
best practices. Tomorrow's technologies that are under development today should
also be investigated and shared with REFORMA's constituencies. REFORMA should
continue to be an advocate for educating our communities about the strengths,
benefits, opportunities, effects and limitations of these new technologies.
The issue of awareness and instruction applies not only to patrons, but also
to librarians and library staff. Librarians and staff need to be prepared
to both operate new technologies and to be aware of Latino digital resources.
Lastly, it is a crucial concern for the library profession as a whole to improve
recruitment of librarians and other staff, especially Latinos, who will be
most knowledgeable and effective in conducting instruction programs. We must
insist that library schools and programs produce many more professionals with
a blend of technical, linguistic and cultural skills that can make a difference
in helping our Latino communities understand and use technology.
The
Need for Latino Digital Collections
In the same
way that Latino print and audiovisual collections had to be rescued from neglect,
ignorance, and efforts to downplay their significance, so we must think about
what we need to do to preserve Latino digital collections. For example, at
the beginning of the Chicano Movement, mainstream libraries either discarded
or did not collect materials about Chicanos that were written from the Chicano
perspective. They were considered too political, too ephemeral,
or too specialized. Students who foresaw
the need to document and preserve this information established Chicano libraries
in the Southwest. The same was true for Puerto Rican, Dominican, and other
ethnic collections. In the digital age we are faced with the same imperative
to make sure that Latino materials are included in digitization projects,
that the separation of important from trivial materials is done from the Latino
perspective, and that the long-term preservation of Latino digitized materials,
including images, listserv messages, text, audiovisual materials, websites,
and other materials is planned for. For all we know, digitized documents may
be the historical documents of the future, perhaps the only
historical documents of the future. Our Latino identities and heritages
must be represented in that future. Current large-scale digitization efforts
must include Latino materials. We cannot assume that governmental, educational,
or privately developed aggregators will automatically consider them. Total
reliance on approval plans has never served the building of core Latino collections
and the same will be the case with an over reliance on aggregators. Nor can
we leave this to the vagaries of marketing decisions. Efforts such as CLNet
in the University of California system focus only on Latino and other ethnic
materials. REFORMA should support efforts such as these and work with them
to establish common goals in this area. We must also remember that the particular
technological tools that are used for preservation are not as important as
the content itself or the ultimate users of that content. The title of the
Children’s Partnership’s recently released report, Online Content for Low-Income and Underserved Americans:
The Digital Divide’s New Frontier is one indicator of the significance
of content, documenting the need to develop relevant content for these populations.
Below are listed some content areas that merit special consideration.
Categories of Latino Digital Preservation