Digital Libraries as A Tool to Confront The Digital Divide

Abstract

Purpose: This paper discusses how digital divide has affected the access of quality information of the citizens and how digital libraries contribute to bridge the digital divide. The article also aims to focus on several issues related to digital divide and digital libraries that pertain to the function of service provision of a traditional library. Methodology: Literature review and observations Findings: It provides some thoughts to readers to rethink of the revolutionisation of Open Access initiatives (OA), Open Educational Resources (OER) and Scholarly Communication Productions (SCP) for the benefit of their wider user community focusing specifically on underprivileged groups, who cannot easily access to quality information due to any financial, infrastructural, socio-economic dynamics. It also highlights the recent developments in OER in Fiji and the country’s effort to draft a national policy on OER to provide directions in the use of open educational resources to increase access to and support quality learning and teaching in Fiji’s education and training system.