Tools for Building Digital Skills with Your Patrons and Staff

A free DigitalLead webinar

Click to view an auto-captioned version of this recording in Zoom.

Public libraries have long been leaders in bringing people into the digital world, providing programs and services that help patrons get jobs, gain knowledge, increase productivity, and engage with others online. Leveraging and strengthening existing library and community resources can help reduce staff burden and increase the library’s impact on digital literacy. In this on-demand webinar, a panel of digital literacy experts share tools, resources, and partnership strategies to help you enhance digital skill development among patrons and library staff.

Originally presented September 26, 2019 as part of the Public Library Association's (PLA) DigitalLead: Rural Libraries Creating New Possibilities project. PLA and Microsoft Corp. are helping rural populations reap the benefits of broadband internet connectivity.

PLA thanks Microsoft Corp. for its support of this webinar and the DigitalLead project.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this on-demand webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Understand how to integrate digital tools and resources into the library’s new or existing digital literacy training efforts to reduce burdens on staff, capture learner data, and promote local resources;
  • Spread information among library staff about tools they can use and also recommend to patrons seeking technology or computer help; and
  • Recognize potential partnerships that can support and sustain new technology and its impact on the community’s access and digital readiness.

Additional Resources

Who Should Attend

This on-demand webinar is intended for public library staff with limited prior knowledge of digital literacy and related resources. It will be useful to front line staff as well as managers and administrators.

Presenters

Leighann WoodLeighann Wood, MSLIS, is a program manager at PLA. She’s responsible for managing and supporting PLA’s special projects and grant-funded initiatives for health literacy, digital literacy, and equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Chelsea Jordan-MakelyOriginally from Manassas, VA, Chelsea Jordan-Makely has worked in public, academic, and special libraries in the Tanzania, South Africa, British Columbia, and the U.S. Chelsea is passionate about customer excellence in libraries, Agile, and making technology accessible to everyone. Chelsea is library director at Griswold Memorial Library in Colrain, MA.

Brandy McNeilBrandy McNeil is the proud recipient of the 2017 Library Journal Mover & Shaker award. McNeil is the associate director of tech education and training for one of the largest public library systems in the United States, the New York Public Library. The work she has done exemplifies the mission of the library, which is to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen the communities. McNeil manages tech education for over 89 branches across New York City and has successfully recruited and developed a team of effective professionals and support staff.

Registration

Cost

This on-demand webinar is free and available 24/7 for your viewing convenience.

How to Register

No registration is required.

Tech Requirements

To playback this archived webinar you should have either the latest version of Flash running on your computer, or use a browser with native HTML5 support. Please use the most up-to-date version available of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, or Internet Explorer. A fast Internet connection and computer is recommended.

Credits or CEUs

PLA does not award credit hours, or CEUs, for its on-demand webinars and cannot verify participation.

Contact

If you have questions or problems accessing a recording, send a message to plawebinars@ala.org or call 800-545-2433 ext. 5PLA (5752).