The lab will be the city’s first educational space dedicated to inclusive digital learning, the library said.
The library’s computer basics course will provide 15 hours of hands-on technology training. Qualified participants will get a free device and a one-year Internet service plan.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Essex County Community Foundation for this generous support,” library Director Jenny Benedict said. “By helping us establish the Digital Learning Lab and our first-ever computer basics course, ECCF has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring equitable access to technology for all Gloucester residents.”
The Digital Learning Lab is scheduled to open this fall as part of the ongoing $29 million 2025 Sawyer Free Library project to expand and modernize the library on Dale Avenue. The library is presently operating out of space at 21 Main St. downtown.
The lab itself will be an 800-square-foot publicly accessible space on the library’s ground floor. It will be furnished with an interactive teaching display, Chromebooks, and classroom seating for 20.
The library plans to use the grant for $18,520 in furnishings and audiovisual teaching equipment for the Digital Learning Lab, and $32,480 for program expenses associated with the computer basics course.
Starting this September, the computer basics course will introduce up to 50 people to fundamental digital skills, including basic computer operations, productivity software, online safety, and communication tools such as email and video conferencing.
Upon completion of the training and a demonstration of proficiency, participants will receive a free Chromebook and one year of Internet service. The course is open to anyone who qualifies by demonstrating need or by identifying an educational, workforce or personal well-being goal.
Community partners such as The Open Door food pantry, the human services agency Action Inc. , the Rose Baker Senior Center and Wellspring House will refer participants, helping ensure the project’s success.
The Council on Aging-Senior Center, Gloucester Housing Authority and the Gloucester Health Department will play a role in reaching those who would benefit from the program.
This initiative will also include professional development for local high school and college student interns, who will help deliver the program through small-group tutoring and one-on-one support.
Internships will be promoted in partnership with Gloucester Public Schools, leveraging channels such as the student news site The Gillnetter.
UMass Lowell plans to support the library’s new educational program by providing additional funding for computer equipment in the Digital Learning Lab for classroom instruction and independent use, and devices for lending to children, teens, and adults on the main and second floors of the library. The university is also embarking on a new college student intern program and anticipates a placement at the library for the delivery and evaluation phases of the computer basics course.
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance recently named Gloucester a 2024 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer for its efforts at trying to close the digital divide with nearly 11% of households lacking broadband Internet access.
The designation recognized the work of the Sawyer Free Library and the city’s IT Department with consultants from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council on coming up with the city’s first Digital Equity Plan. This plan serves as a roadmap to close the digital divide. Its recommendations include expanding digital literacy and device access programs and the launch of the new Digital Learning Lab.
The Sawyer Free Library is one of 13 grantees to receive a 2025 digital equity partnership grant from the Essex County Community Foundation.
These grants totaling $627,000 encourage cross-sector collaborations and are part of the foundation’s Advancing Digital Equity initiative, ECCF’s multi-year, $3 million commitment to empower Essex County residents with access, education, and equipment to navigate today’s increasingly digital world.
The library is one of eight first-time digital equity grantees receiving a total of $325,000, with other organizations located in Lynn, Lawrence and the Merrimack Valley, according to a statement from ECCF.
Another $302,000 in sustainability funding was awarded to programs ECCF has previously funded for organizations in Peabody, Haverhill and Salem.
On the North Shore these include: $85,000 for Citizens Inn, Peabody, for its Wireless Hotspot Expansion and Digital Navigator Program; $72,000 for Healing Abuse Working for Change, Salem, for HAWC Digital Equity; and $70,000 for North Shore Community Development Coalition, Salem, for digital equity programs in the Point Neighborhood.
In total, this group of grants represents more than 60 local community partnerships helping residents get online in 26 Essex County communities.
©2025 the Gloucester Daily Times, Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
