To mark Global Media and Information Literacy Week (GMILW), Media Literacy Ireland has been working with libraries and library staff on two different initiatives.
Media, especially digital media, is central to our daily lives and the technology behind it is changing all the time. Knowing how to use, understand and evaluate media is essential if we want to be able to participate fully in society, and make informed decisions based on accurate and reliable information – whether those decisions relate to health, politics, economics or any other aspect of life.
To help members of the public improve their media literacy skills, MLI worked with South Dublin Libraries deliver a series of six public-facing talks entitled “Be Media Smart, Be Media Savvy”. Supported by the Adult Literacy for Life programme, the six talks took place over a period of six weeks in the following libraries: Ballyroan, Tallaght, Castletymon, Clondalkin, Lucan and NCL (North Clondalkin Library).
During the first four talks, Martina highlighted the important role that media has in our lives and gave tips and advice on how to manage our relationship with media. Exploring the Be Media Smart campaign, she also offered tips and guidance on how to avoid misinformation, especially in the run up to elections, while highlighting other sources of support available for people on their learning journeys.
The final two talks will take place in Lucan Library on 6 November and in North Clondalkin Library on 13 November and people can book a place via the library.
On Friday 25 October, Martina was also delighted to deliver the keynote speech to the Library Association of Ireland Career Development Group. In her presentation, Martina outlined why media literacy is more important now than ever before and explored the unique and critical role that librarians and libraries have in promoting media literacy. She also illustrated some of the excellent media literacy work that is being carried out by librarians across the country.
Martina noted that “As guardians of information, Libraries, and librarians, are impartial advisors, sign-posters and guides. But, most importantly, you hold a trusted place in the heart of Irish society and you can make the critical difference when it comes to empowering people with the skills and knowledge to better manage their engagement with media and information. A job that is more important now, than ever before”.
It was particularly exciting to witness the MLI ‘Be Media Smart’ Workshop in a Box resource used brilliantly by LAI members, Saoirse de Paor and Faye Currie to provide LAI members with accredited training.
