Your Webster Parish Libraries to Offer Free Digital Literacy Training

Have you heard? Your Webster Parish Libraries are proud to be among the 215 libraries across 45 states selected by ALA-PLA for the Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive, supported by AT&T. 

AT&T is helping the Public Library Association (PLA) provide free, in-person digital literacy workshops in Webster Parish. The workshops will utilize online digital literacy courses available through AT&T ScreenReady® and PLA Digital Learn. Created in collaboration with PLA, the courses teach skills ranging from basic computer skills to video conferencing. 

According to the U.S. Department of Education¹, about 16 percent of U.S. adults are not digitally literate. In addition, about 40% of disconnected students face significant adoption barriers including insufficient digital literacy skills, according to a report from Common Sense Media.    Advancing  these skills are crucial to helping bridge the digital divide. It’s important that students and their families not only have access to the internet and computers, but also have the tools needed to use that technology effectively, safely and responsibly. 

A total of four workshops will be offered on digital literacy topics. These topics include computer basics, internet basics, email basics, and video conferencing, and will be held at both your Springhill and Minden library locations. For every workshop attended a participant’s name will be placed into a drawing to win a MacBook Air – perfect for continued digital literacy learning! Registration must take place in person at either your Minden or Springhill library locations, or by phone. Space is limited.

“We are excited to offer these digital literacy workshops in Webster Parish. To truly thrive, it’s important that we as a library system provide digital literacy resources that teach the skills that all ages need to succeed in a technology driven world. Together with the Public Library Association, we’re proud to offer online courses and free workshops to help learners advance those skills,” said Savannah Jones, Webster Parish Libraries Director.

Workshop dates are as follows: 

Minden Branch at 11AM

• September 12^th – Computer Basics
• September 19^th – Internet Basics
• October 3^rd – Email Basics
• October 10^th – Video Conferencing

Springhill Branch at 3:30PM

• September 14^th – Computer Basics
• September 21^st  – Internet Basics
• October 5^th – Email Basics
• October 12^th  – Video Conferencing