As a matter of course, libraries must both teach and model digital citizenship in partnership with all members of a school’s staff. Librarians must:
- Advocate and promote access to digital media for all students and their families.
- Provide training to students regarding smart practices of digital commerce.
- Equip students with the know-how needed to communicate appropriately in form, content, and mechanics via the many forms of digital media.
- Underscore the importance of extending general principles of manners and etiquette to the electronic setting.
- Encourage digital health and wellness by monitoring students’ form in using technology, evaluating workstations for ergonomic soundness, and addressing related social and emotional issues.
- Further the digital literacy of students in understanding technology, accessing its professional potential, and discerning credible resources.
- Inform students about digital law, the legal repercussions of plagiarism and intellectual property theft, and accurate, responsible citation of sources.
- Educate students on their rights as users of digital resources and of their responsibilities in response to these privileges.
- Stress the importance of digital security from malware, identity theft, and thoughtless posting.