MU is partnering with Columbia, Columbia Public Library, Columbia Borough School District and Pennsylvania CareerLink to carry out the initiatives funded by the Digital Literacy and Workforce Development grant. Pennsylvania CareerLink is a state Department of Labor & Industry job-matching system that helps job seekers and employers connect.
Workshops will mainly be taught at the 24 S. Sixth St. library with additional workshops offered at the school district and other locations in the borough, according to MU Workforce Development Program Director Hope Schmids.
"As a public university, our mission is not just educating our undergraduates but providing opportunities for the local region," Schmids said.
Columbia was identified as an area of great need for a digital literacy program, particularly because there is a low rate of computer ownership and broadband internet access in the area.
"The enthusiasm of our partners encouraged us to pursue this opportunity, knowing we would have strong community support," Schmids said.
Grant funding will also support the library in purchasing laptops that were already much needed in the facility. Additionally, a portion of the funding can go toward individuals who need help with transportation or childcare in order to attend the workshops.
MU information technology students will help to develop the workshops to gain experience in the customer service aspect of the profession, Schmids said.
This is the third time that MU has received the digital literacy grant. Since 2021, MU has received two one-year grants of $45,000. For the first time, funding awarded this year will be extended across two years rather than one, Schmids said.
Previous digital literacy grant funding allowed the university to offer free digital-literacy training courses at the Quarryville and Adamstown public libraries. Those programs have ended, Schmids said, but MU created digital media literacy fliers on popular topics covered through the workshops at both libraries.
"We've learned a lot of lessons along the way," Schmids said of the previous programs.
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