New online program will help library professionals build media literacy expertise, navigate emerging AI-driven challenges and strengthen support for their communities.
CANBERRA, ACT, September 14, 2026 – PressReader will sponsor 10 scholarships for the University of Canberra’s new media literacy course designed specifically for librarians and other library and information services (LIS) professionals.
The Media Literacy for LIS Professionals course will help participants:
- Develop strategies for teaching media literacy skills to library patrons
- Understand key concepts surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Explore current trends and issues driven by AI in libraries
- Review and document key resources in the field for ongoing education
The seven-week, online course is open to librarians, teacher librarians and other library staff, including library technicians and assistants.
As part of the program, PressReader is sponsoring 10 course scholarships for Australian Library and Information Association members from rural and regional communities. In addition, all course participants will receive a 12-month individual PressReader subscription, providing access to thousands of trusted newspapers and magazines from around the world.
Sponsoring the course is a natural extension of PressReader’s commitment to providing quality journalism and diverse perspectives to help communities navigate a complex and rapidly evolving information environment. The platform will be used in the module Journalism and trusted sources of information to highlight the role that quality news and journalism play in media literacy, while emphasizing the importance of being able to access a diverse range of credible information sources.
“Our recent research revealed that 99% of public librarians in Australia view media literacy as important. But only 10% feel very well equipped to support it,” said Ruairí Doyle, CEO of PressReader. “Through this course, alongside PressReader’s catalog of credible news and diverse perspectives, we’re helping librarians across Australia develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to better support media literacy in their communities.”
“Australians are increasingly concerned about the online environment, where misinformation can spread quickly, and are seeking to better understand emerging technologies such as social media and artificial intelligence that are reshaping how information is created, shared and consumed. Libraries are often a trusted first point of contact for community members seeking guidance. This course will equip library staff with the confidence, skills and research-backed resources to deliver effective media literacy programs in their communities,” said Professor Sora Park, Director of the News & Media Research Centre, University of Canberra.
Registration is now open and closes on October 15th. The course will begin on October 30th.
For more information about the course, registration details and the PressReader sponsorship, visit https://www.canberra.edu.au/uc-research/faculty-research-centres/nmrc/Short-Courses.
About PressReader
PressReader helps public libraries connect their communities to trusted journalism and diverse perspectives through an easy-to-use digital platform. With a catalog of more than 8,400 newspapers and magazines from 120 countries, plus a vast selection of books and daily puzzles, PressReader empowers libraries to offer all-you-can-read access that supports media literacy, entertainment and curiosity.
Since1999, PressReader has pioneered digital content curation and distribution. Today, the company partners with more than 1,500 leading publishers and thousands of libraries worldwide to make high-quality, global content accessible, inclusive and sustainable.
https://about.pressreader.com/
Contact
For more information contact media@pressreader.com
