The Role of Community Libraries in Promoting Digital Literacy: A Study of Rural Communities in Jamtara District, Jharkhand

Abstract

In the current digital age, the ability to find, utilize, and engage with technology, or ICTs, is essential for learning, employment, government procedures, and social interactions. But there is still a large digital divide in the rural areas of India, with one example being Jamtara district in Jharkhand. This is a gap that is created due to ineffective infrastructure, resources and awareness. The role of the community in bridging this divide is played by the public libraries which can provide people with access to digital, training and help. The research paper examines the impact of the role played by the public libraries regarding digital literacy in rural Jamtara district. The article employs a quantitative design scheme, as researchers gathered data on 250 participants in the form of a structured questionnaire. Findings indicate that there is a high positive relationship between the availability of digital resources and digital literacy (R 2 = 0.502) and a significant influence of training and support programs on literacy (R 2 = 0.457). These results affirm that the role of the public libraries is substantial in enhancing the level of digital skills in a rural setting. The research suggests that it should be reinforced with digital infrastructure, train the staff better, and get the government support to re-establish the role of libraries as major drivers of digital inclusion. Providing rural dwellers with digital skills, the public libraries are able to support self-inclusive development and enhance the objectives of digital transformation in the Jharkhand towards equity.