Abstract:
This study will provide some inspiration and practical insights to academic libraries and educators
within tertiary education who wish to experiment with digital upskilling programmes in their
institutions. 2,661 students registered for extra-curricular digital skills workshops over a three-week
period in the spring of the 2021 academic year, at a time when Covid19 meant that students were
already spending a lot of time learning online. Focus groups conducted with workshop attendees
revealed their motivation and some of the benefits that accrued to them from participating in the
digital skills workshops. This study provides a blueprint for academic libraries who wish to develop or
collaborate on digital skills programmes and reflects on how a refresh of library workshops to
emphasise digital literacy skills can not only meet the contemporary learning needs of their students
but also boost the attendance at other, more traditional library workshops.
