The PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive, supported by AT&T, provides support to libraries of all sizes to conduct workshops using DigitalLearn training materials designed to help patrons build skills and confidence using technology.
The Oxford Public Library plans to use the DigitalLearn resources and funding from this partnership to help increase the digital literacy of individuals in the community.
"Many in our community are sometimes uncomfortable using the digital tools available to them, whether from the library's resources or from general daily Internet use," said library director Amy Henderson. "The library is increasingly concerned about the information that the general community is receiving from online resources, especially in regards to health information. By becoming more familiar with the digital world around them, community members will know how to find legitimate information to make smart decisions in their lives."
The library will also have an interactive digital board in place. This board will be utilized in live workshops at the library and will also be made available to library patrons who are interested in utilizing the DigitalLearn materials in a private space.
Library users can make use of this board to learn at their own pace, free from embarrassment, but with library staff nearby to answer questions and help overcome hurdles. This material will be available to library users in both English and Spanish.
"Community is always our focus at the Oxford Public Library. Digital Literacy is important to our community members. The way they access and ingest information from digital sources influences decisions they make in their lives," Henderson said. "I want to give the members of our community tools to find accurate information; digital literacy is a very important tool in today's world."
"The expansion of this powerful collaboration with AT&T for the second year will ensure that even more families and communities can benefit from programs and resources that increase digital access and equity," said PLA past president Maria McCauley.
The workshops will be on Wednesdays at noon, while other tools will be available anytime the library is open. More details and the schedule can be found at www.oxfordpl.org/computers.
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