Mobile technology has rapidly changed over the past 25 years and as connectivity has developed from phone calls and texting to internet access, it has become a staple in modern-day life. In a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 95% of adults in the U.S. reported they use the internet, and 90% have a smart phone (Gelles-Watnick, 2024). For additional context, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a massive shift in the technological landscape of the U.S., with internet access becoming the only way to connect with others outside their homes during lock downs. “With more than three billion people in isolation, the status of digital spaces is switching from an amenity to a necessity, as they become not only the main way to access information and services, but also one of the only remaining vectors for economic, educational, and leisure activities as well as for social interactions to take place”(Beaunoyer et al., 2020). Not only did the internet offer so much opportunity to engage for these reasons, the lack of internet during these times had equal, if not worse, stakes. The University of Chicago published a research study (Lin et al., 2022) that “showed one of the factors most consistently associated with a high risk of death due to COVID-19 in the U.S. was the lack of internet access, whether broadband, dial-up, or cellular”(Grimes & Porter, 2024). While the lethality of COVID-19 has been significantly diminished, “Technology use, prompted by physical access and digital literacy, constitute a determinant of health having multiple impacts on physical, mental and social health” (Beaunoyer et al., 2020). Health and access to the internet are deeply intertwined, especially as it pertains to older adults. “Vulnerable populations like older adults also tend to be excluded from digital services because they opt not to use the internet, lack necessary devices and network connectivity, or inexperience using the technology” (Seifert et al., 2021). This program series, titled “Android 101 for Older Adults,” would seek to bring older adults together to build digital literacy skills, which can be framed as “the degree to which individuals have the capacity, knowledge, motivation, and competence to access, process, engage and understand the information needed to obtain benefits from the use of digital technologies” (Beaunoyer et al., 2020). Digital inclusion of seniors “significantly change[s] their life [by] strengthening self-esteem, identity, the development of capabilities, of autonomy and the overcoming of problems either physical, emotional, social” (Rodrigues & Morgado, 2017)
To prepare for this program series would be a project in itself, and librarian Cecilia Feltis has coined the term “dating your town” to refer to the research and local-level networking necessary to adapt this program series to any particular public libraries’ older adults. “Some Internet search options to query are the history of the town, current leaders, cultural makeup, demographics, and size of the population” (Jaeger et al., 2015). For practical aspects of the program, it would have to be made certain that Android devices are common enough in the community, and if not, switch the program title to match the correct operating system. The program plan as laid out in this work is not dependent upon the mobile device’s operating system. Additional research into adult communities in the area, as well as investigating ease of transportation to the library would be important, to consider whether this program would be best framed as outreach at a senior living community space. Resources such as the U.S. Census Bureau’s fact sheets and the interactive maps from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s State Census Data Center would be great sources of information along these lines. In 2021, 27% of adults living in households earning less than $30,000 a year were smartphone-only households (Vogels, 2021), and an annual point-in-time count conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2024, found that 20% of those experiencing homelessness (or one in five) were older adults, ages 55 and up (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2024). Seeking shelters and non-profits that aid low-income, older adults who may only have access to the internet via their phones would be a priority for this program series.
Once researching the library’s patronage and determining the location of the program, what operating system to focus on, and other interior details about the program, turning outward and engaging with the community is the next step. “Once one has those details, it is important to get out of the library and go to where the patrons are. Take flyers to hair salons, go to local restaurants and introduce yourself, go to the municipal office and make sure they know that the library is there as a partner to help the community” (Jaeger et al., 2015). Beyond promoting the library, these interactions offer an opportunity to learn about any other related resources or services available that could be communicated to attending patrons - banks might host a weekly drop-in time to learn how to use their app, community centers might be coordinating teens from a local high school to help adults on their Apple computers. These are resources to learn about and cross-promote in the interest of continued education and social connection.
The program series would have three parts to it, separated by concept more than any strict time or space constraints, as those practical settings and timelines would be best edited to meet libraries’ and patrons’ realities and capabilities. In the first part, a general overview and orientation of mobile device environments, immediately followed up by an audit of accessibility settings. This section would cover home screens, panes, apps, and widgets, and how to customize them through gestures, emphasizing gentle touches or swipes with the pad of the finger. While touch technologies can be tricky, seniors are better able to use mobile devices rather than computers and facilitate the acquisition of digital competencies by senior individuals by focusing on simplicity; mobility; ease of use; and aptitude (Rodrigues & Morgado, 2017). The appreciation of touch technology found in mobile devices is already present among older adults and reviewing them together before going deeper into ways to further the device’s ease of use and convenience would be advantageous. For example, both Android and iOS smart phones offer features such as predictive text, assistive touch, speech-to-text, and visual adjustments of apps and widgets. Artificial intelligence technology may emerge into mobile devices’ accessibility settings as well, which is well worth a notation.
In the second part of the program series, privacy and security on one’s mobile device use would take center stage. “Compared to younger adults, older Americans report feeling less in control over their location data, search terms, online purchases, browsing behaviors, text messages, and social media posts” (National Academies of Sciences, 2020). In a 2023 Pew Research survey, 63% of Americans ages 65 and older regularly write their passwords down. 28% of people aged 65 and older said they did not use a security feature to unlock their mobile devices (Mcclain et al., 2023).Reviewing security and privacy options in the device’s own settings, as well as important apps, would build a sense of control and empowerment over attendee’s private, personal data.
In the final class, the public librarian(s) running the program will have crafted a handout and/or LibGuide for their attendees. “Public libraries can learn from their colleagues in academic library environments and adopt similar strategies in the use of such LibGuides that become a great resource for diversity information compiled by librarians working in those agencies… Also, in their referral role of providing community information public libraries can develop web portals on diversity to local, regional, national and international agencies, organizations, institutions, non-profit groups and others” (Mehra & Davis, 2015). For this program series, a LibGuide would feature the library’s relevant continuing services, collections, and programs, as well as vetted offerings by private or public groups or businesses that aid seniors with mobile device access and digital skillsets. Examples include the AARP, the Illinois Department of Aging, and DigitalLearn.org, the Public Library Association’s own learning management system built for closing the digital divide.
Significant time would also be allotted for librarians and patrons alike to share their experiences, recommendations, and general feedback about the program to inform edits to its next cycle. “Qualitative information such as that drive from interviews and focus groups, observation and community meetings, provides rich anecdotal information and puts the quantitative data into context. Qualitative data give a voice to the community and their needs” (Cooke, 2017). Giving special space and time to an open forum to discuss the program offers the librarians a chance to honestly self-reflect with patrons, and to learn from patrons what edits could be made in the future to better assist them in their learning journeys.
To summarize, with mobile technology becoming ubiquitous, the need to deepen the understanding of this technology and its benefits and build digital literacy skills among older adults has been proven to improve health and wellbeing. Preparation for this program involves researching the local population as well as meeting and connecting with key community members and groups that may spread the word and share information about their related offerings. With program topics such as exploring accessibility features and privacy and security online, patrons will be able to both learn and discuss aspects of mobile technology that afford practical benefits in their lived experiences. By putting together a LibGuide of resources, services, and programs hosted by the library and around the community, this program series would further connect patrons past its time and place settings. Finally, with cultural humility in mind, open listening and learning from patrons - their thoughts and insights on how to keep meeting them and their needs with the program on a direct, local basis - would be critical to this program’s continued success.