By Carolyn Mish
Bjorn Jones is a librarian at the Downtown branch of the Santa Cruz Public Library with a unique focus—digital literacy. Through various programs such as Tech Talks, Zoom workshops, and one on one support, Jones and other librarians across the branches seek to provide patrons with the help they need to access, navigate, and connect using technology.
“The idea here is that people have the right to seek and receive ideas and information without restrictions,” Jones said. “Since most of our information seeking and retrieval processes are now technology based, that is a really important part of the library’s mission.”
For Jones, who has been working in libraries for more than sixteen years, the digital literacy aspect of his role at SCPL came as a natural outcome of his personal interests and the core mission of libraries. After working in market research and leaving the field in search of something more mission driven, Jones found meaning in digital literacy work.
“The reason I gravitated towards the tech piece of the library world is because restrictions exist when there are layers of complexity in technology,” Jones said. “I feel like my role in the library is to support intellectual freedom through the reduction of the restrictions that happen through technology.”
While workshops provide librarians with the opportunity to connect with the broader community and provide information about a variety of topics related to technology use, one on one support remains a highly impactful resource the library provides. Most branches have the option for patrons to schedule individual appointments with librarians.
Jones is particularly passionate when it comes to the impact created with one on one support sessions. According to him, the library has helped patrons access and complete job applications, leading them to secure positions after several sessions of hard work.
“That’s a game changer for people,” Jones said. “It’s really hard work sometimes, but ultimately it’s something that can move the needle and make a difference.”
As machine learning tools like Chat GPT become available to the public, developing the skills to interact with and use AI poses a new challenge in the field of digital literacy and learning. For Jones, this presents a unique opportunity to highlight the continuing importance of the library’s work.
It’s clear that as the information age continues to grow and develop, digital literacy will become increasingly important and cement itself as a vital service of the library.
“The human relationships and interactions that we can build upon, are at a premium in a world where there is increasing technology and automation,” Jones said. “I’m hoping that for libraries, we can really lean into our humanity so that people can feel that human connection when they walk in, and that they get to talk to a human, and hopefully that person is informed and helpful, and they can help them navigate this new world and new tools.”
Carolyn Mish holds a position at the Division of Undergraduate Education at UCSC as a Student Writer. She reports on events and community stories in order to highlight voices and perspectives.