Digital inclusion in later life: the role of libraries in helping older people thrive in a digital world

The divide between those who have access to technology and those who do not impacts the wellbeing, inclusion, and social connectiveness of groups across the world. Digital poverty is particularly prevalent in older people, where little formal provision exists for these groups to build digital skills. This work aimed to explore the digital divide from the perspective of older people and their tutors in three North-East England library authorities. Through a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 15 members of library staff/volunteers and 25 older people engaging in digital literacy education provision, we identified challenges and fears older people hold in relation to the digital world: device access, anxiety and confusion, disinterest, security, and the growing digital skills gap. We highlight the importance of public libraries as locations to deliver semi-formal digital skills training with these groups and the challenges libraries face with delivering this provision stemming from funding challenges to a lack of capacity. We also report on success stories and outline implications for libraries with strategies they can employ to enhance their provision.