Digital Literacy Grant Extends Educational Opportunities at the Library
The research is overwhelming. When children have access to books and stories their chances at success in school, and then in life, are greatly improved. A variety of quality educational opportunities only serves to better our whole community. The educational work we do at the library is geared to making Spokane the best place it can be by giving citizens as many opportunities as possible.
Besides storytimes, for our youngest customers and our online coursework offerings like GaleCourses and Microsoft IT Academy, we offer hundreds of workshops every year in all kinds of subjects. For those who like to independently guide their lifelong learning, the library’s print, audio, video, and digital collections are the place they turn.
We’re really pleased to announce that we were just awarded a grant to ramp up educational opportunities specific to digital literacy. The project is made possible with funding provided to the Washington State Library by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. What a perfect time for this grant! More and more, digital literacy and expertise is a required skillset for those who want to succeed in today’s world. The grant allows us to expand the learning environment at the Hillyard Library (where we have seen the greatest growth in usage since reopening to 40 hours per week at the beginning of 2014). The focus of the grant is on increasing digital skills for our customers and creating meaningful interactions with technology. For those with little digital experience, we will get them comfortable and acquainted with many aspects of technology that can improve their experiences. For those with existing tech skills we’ve focused the learning so that they can use technology as a means to an end. These options include skills-training such as writing a resume, applying for a job online, improving prospects for small businesses, or producing marketing videos. The workshops launched this month and we will hold them every month through May (when the grant period ends). At that time we will evaluate what workshops were most requested by customers and tailor future curriculum based on customer needs and requests.
Please check out this new series at the Hillyard Library; we’re so grateful for the opportunity to host them. This month’s offerings are listed at right (or below if you’re reading on your phone). Check our calendar regularly to sign up for March, April and May workshops.
