Libraries Sign Up to be Cyber Safety Leaders
City of Rockingham 13 Sep 2018

eSmart Libraries is one of the most significant community cyber safety programs ever undertaken in Australia and is supported by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and funded by the Telstra Foundation.    Started in 2012, more than one-third of all the 1500 libraries in Australia are now involved in the program. Libraries are a great environment for sharing the best tips to equip people with the skills to be safe online with almost half of Australia’s population a member of their local library.   City of Rockingham Mayor, Barry Sammels, said he was pleased the City’s libraries are now equipped to help library users navigate the online world in safety: “The internet has brought so much knowledge right to our fingertips, it is now an intrinsic part of education and daily work practices as well as entertainment.   “However, pitfalls to this technology do exist so knowing where to find cyber safety resources and how to ensure privacy and security online is vital to navigating the digital space for young and old.   “Our residents are already benefiting from this program with library staff actively assisting patrons who have been targeted or were vulnerable to being targeted by online scammers.”   For the last 18 months the City’s Library staff have been working to integrate cyber safety into their daily operations, staff development and organisational culture through the development of procedures, promotional materials, user education programs and staff training programs.   By making the online library experience safer for everyone, eSmart Libraries will give more Australians the opportunity to experience the social and economic benefits of new digital technologies.   For more information about the City’s eSmart libraries initiative, ask one of our friendly library staff at one of our four branches located in Rockingham, Safety Bay, Warnbro and Baldivis.

Rockingham Central Library is planning to celebrate this achievement at an event where community members battle it out to become the ‘eSmartest’ in a fun, gameshow style quiz.  Spectators are invited to come and watch and enjoy some light refreshments. Details will be available on the website soon.