3 Ways Libraries Help Promote Digital Inclusion and Literacy
At Inspiredu, one of our most valued partners for helping build digital equity across Georgia is the local library. After all, libraries are committed to promoting literacy in all forms, digital included. They work to ensure that all community members have an opportunity to develop essential digital skills required for modern life. It makes them a perfect fit for our mission.
Currently, Inspiredu hosts digital learning workshops through the Azalea Regional Library Systems at Jasper County Library and Sparta-Hancock Library, as well as at the Fulton County Library System. Plus, we are working towards partnering with Gwinnett County libraries in 2025.
In our current collaborations, we see three important ways libraries help promote digital inclusion and literacy:
1. They offer equal access to technology
Library resources are free, including the use of computers and the internet. This is particularly helpful for individuals who might not have access to these resources at home, such as in underserved urban and rural areas of the state.
“Oftentimes areas such as rural communities are forgotten,” explains Jasper County Library Manager
Kisha Jones. “When this happens, the digital divide grows exponentially. But when you’re able to give people access to opportunities they never thought they would have, it matters greatly. It gives them hope.”
In addition to computers, many libraries offer specialized equipment and software for people with disabilities, ensuring that everyone can benefit from digital resources.
2. They engage in community outreach
Another way libraries promote digital inclusion and literacy is through community outreach. They regularly collaborate with local organizations, schools, and nonprofits to offer digital literacy programs and reach underserved populations. These include tailored programs to address the specific needs of the community around them, such as digital skills training for job seekers, technology classes for seniors, or coding workshops for children.
We rely on libraries in underserved areas to promote and host our digital learning workshops. Since patrons often trust library resources, there’s less hesitancy to attend because the library provides a safe space to attend our sessions.
“Our partnership with Inspiredu has increased the digital footprint of this community,” Jones explains. “We had patrons who refused to even get on a computer, and now through the program they have their own!”
3.They provide digital literacy training
Our partnerships are why training is the third way we see libraries promoting digital inclusion and literacy. Workshops and classes like ours focus on various digital skills, including basic computer use, internet navigation, online safety, software applications, and more. These offerings cater to all skill levels, from beginners to more advanced users.
We’re happy to partner with local libraries to offer our digital learning workshops because their knowledge of the community helps us provide what’s best for those who live there. For example, in Jasper County, the first Family Learning Workshop in January revealed a greater need for Adult Digital Literacy workshops specifically focused on seniors.
“Through these sessions, we’ve seen an increase in the digital confidence of seniors and adults,” Jones shares. “In fact, several of our patrons who did not feel comfortable on computers now have the freedom to explore on their own devices, and they’re accessing digital services more than before.”
Librarians and trained staff often provide personalized help with technology-related questions and problems, so adding our workshops to the schedule was a natural fit and is a step closer to digital literacy for all.
Libraries play a pivotal role in fostering digital inclusion through access to technology, training and support, and by providing a safe and welcoming space. Together, libraries and Inspiredu are working to ensure that all community members have an opportunity to participate fully in the digital age.