Originally published in INCITE Magazine Volume 46, Issue 4

Kieran contributes to a number of national research projects that highlight how community organisations, including public libraries and neighbourhood houses, help address digital inequalities. These include projects funded by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, Telstra and the Victorian Government. These projects are led by researchers at RMIT and Swinburne, particularly through the ADM+S.

These projects have found that, in a range of settings, public libraries are increasingly taking on the role of supporting people experiencing digital exclusion to access vital online services, including government services, banking, etc. While this role brings opportunities for libraries to act as crucial intermediaries to services for vulnerable groups in a digital society, it also brings economic and emotional costs that are rarely recognised by governments and service providers that are shifting services online. The aim of the project is to identify the costs of extra pressures on library services and how libraries and their staff can be better supported.

Kieran says ‘As a former practitioner, one of my goals is to apply concepts, theories and methods that I’ve learned through my academic training to understand the social and cultural role of libraries in a digital society. I am excited to continue work with library professionals and pursue new projects that benefit the library community’. 

Contact: kieran.hegarty@rmit.edu.au