THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY IN ENCOURAGING INFORMATION, DIGITAL AND MEDIA LITERACY THROUGH STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN THE ERASMUS+ PROJECT

Abstract

Objecctive. The aim of this paper is to emphasize the role of the school library in teaching students about the safe and responsible use of digital technology for learning purposes and leisure (digital literacy), evaluating information and content on the Internet (information literacy) and how to learn from different knowledge and information sources (media literacy). Approach/Methodology/Design. Authors present an example of good practice of the Zlatar Bistrica Elementary School library and its participation in the Erasmus+ project Responsible Digital Natives conducted from 2020 to 2023, during which students participated in project-based and research-based learning in the school library. Activities with students such as cooperation, teamwork, use of ICT and modern learning methods are presented. Practical implications. An example of good practice of the Zlatar Bistrica elementary school library can be used to design activities to encourage responsible use of digital technology in working with students, both by librarians and other educational staff in elementary and secondary schools. Originality/Value. Authors give new insights into the possibilities of expanding the information and reference roles and tasks of the school library, which are more than just borrowing books and referring to bibliographic resources, particularly in developing collaboration between the school librarian and subject teachers not only within the school but also at the international level through European projects aimed at promo-ting lifelong competencies, exchange of knowledge and experiences and collaborative learning. Results. The paper gives insights into the positive effects of collaboration between the school library and the Geography subject in acquiring information, digital and media literacy skills, as well as in the domain of learning how to learn, in research activities in a digitally safe environment, text analysis and summarization, adopting reading tech-niques and strategies, using popular science literature in research-based learning and presenting work results to students from partner schools.