Digital Literacy in Action: An Assessment of Awareness, Career Skills, and Librarian Support for Women Students

Abstract

This research aimed to assess the digital literacy skills among senior female students at Federal Government Women's Colleges in Islamabad, Pakistan. The key aspects explored in this research are to investigate their level of digital literacy, examine the importance of these skills for their careers, and examine the role of libraries and librarians in promoting them. The study population comprised 224 BS final-year students pursuing bachelor's degrees in various programs. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 24.0) was used for data analysis, and appropriate statistical tests were employed, including t-tests, means, and standard deviations. The quantitative study reveals that students face distinct challenges in their academic and professional contexts when successfully applying these skills. This study concluded that students need to learn to use technology, a key component of digital literacy. As college students become more adept at navigating digital tools, they should also stay up to date with technology. A higher education institution, such as a college, has the responsibility not only to produce skilled students but also to foster responsible digital citizens who are aware of the broader impacts of their actions in the digital literacy arena. The study recommends acquiring an in-depth understanding of digital literacy, organizing multiple workshops and programs, and hiring only professional, qualified librarians to help students. It also creates space for suggestions to delegations, programs, course planning, as well as opportunities for student growth, library support, and academic collaborations.