WELCOME!
A Message from Director Ross Holt
Digital Literacy Redux
When mention is made of “bridging the digital divide,” the first thing that comes to mind is high speed Internet connectivity — or lack thereof.
The digital divide — the gap between those who can effectively use modern technology and those who face barriers doing so — actually includes three spheres: access, adoption and aptitude. Access means extending coverage so that all people can easily participate online.
Adoption is a person’s willingness to engage once access is available. A key factor in adoption is aptitude — the capability and confidence to navigate the online world.
In other words, digital literacy.
From the time we began providing public Internet access in 1998, the libraries have been at the forefront of digital literacy in the community. As needs have shifted over time, so have our efforts.
For more than 10 years, we offered one-hour classes, often two times each week, covering computer basics, Internet, email and Microsoft Word. Many attendees were seniors, learning to email or chat with adult children, or pursue hobbies.
As the number of Hispanic and Latino immigrant workers surged, our classes helped them gain new skills. After 9/11, we saw people seeking to communicate with loved ones serving overseas.
The Great Recession hit at the same time employers moved to online job applications. Many workers who were laid off by traditional industries had limited computer skills, but had to re-educate themselves to seek new jobs. The critical time was not a scheduled class, but the point of need. Our librarians often spent entire desk shifts working intensively with computer users, helping them gain mouse dexterity, understand usernames and passwords, and fill out online applications.
At the same time, ebooks proliferated as did the types of Internet-accessible devices. So we began offering one-on-one sessions tailored to the user’s needs. In spite of these efforts, digital literacy needs continue to accelerate. Fortunately, we have a new tool to advance our services to help meet the ever-changing needs.
Northstar Digital Literacy, featured on the front page, gives us (and you) a multi-pronged approach to developing computer and Internet skills. It is provided to us through the State Library of North Carolina.
Users can sign up through the library and build skills — and receive certificates and badges that they can present to current or potential employers. Northstar also provides curricula that library instructors can use to teach in-person or virtual classes, at the libraries or remotely. We’re offering one of these classes this month.
Meanwhile, we will continue providing customized, one-on-one assistance.
We also will continue to deploy our staff and resources to enable you to learn at your convenience, at your own pace, and at the point of need.
If your organization would like to schedule a computer or Internet class, contact Digital Services Librarian Harris Mason, hmason@randolphlibrary.org or 336-318-6824
