Going Digital in North Carolina Public Libraries
Imagine trying to pay your bills, access your medical records, or help with a child’s homework without a reliable computer, tablet, or access to the internet. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 20% of North Carolina households lack access to a meaningful digital device such as a computer or tablet. Now, imagine trying to complete those tasks using only a smartphone. In North Carolina, 4.4% of households only own a smartphone, which is less efficient and capable than a computer, laptop with a keyboard, or tablet.
Even if you have access to a computer, you may need to gain the skills or understanding of how to use it and the technology available to sign up for an email address or navigate an internet browser. In today’s tech-driven world, possessing digital skills and having access to high-speed internet are essential for full participation in society. As technology continues to increasingly embed itself in our daily lives, digital skills are becoming all the more essential.
In recognition of these trends, public libraries have a long history of providing access to technology, devices, and the internet, and helping people learn how to use them. According to the Public Library Association’s 2020 Public Library Technology Survey summary report, “more than 88% of all public libraries offer some kind of digital skills programming.” It is no surprise that North Carolina public libraries are leading the way in digital literacy programming and going beyond the traditional idea that libraries are only for checking out books and storytime for children.
Libraries across North Carolina are offering programs to address inequities in digital access and skills in their communities. An exemplary case study, Iredell County Public Library, is making great strides in offering digital skills instruction to the community and local K-8 schools to reach students and teachers.
Digital Access and Training in Iredell County
As of 2019, 12.59% of households in Iredell County, located in North Carolina’s Piedmont region, did not have access to the internet, and 9.73% did not have a computer device.
In the spring of 2022, Iredell County Public Library offered digital skills classes to its community. Partnering with Iredell-Statesville Schools, the library provided courses at two local elementary schools and the main library branch. The class allowed them to reach out to low-income families with decreased accessibility to library services.
The free hands-on eight-course digital skills classes were offered after school hours at Third Creek Elementary and NB Mills Elementary, both located in Statesville. The main branch of the Iredell County Public Library offered evening classes to accommodate working households.
As an added incentive, households that attended six of the eight class sessions received a new Chromebook and accessories, including headphones and a computer mouse. Instructors taught computer basics, such as operating a mouse and a keyboard, Internet safety, and classroom technology. The State Library of North Carolina (SLNC) provided course documents and curriculum developed through the Homework Gap Project, a collaboration between SLNC and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s Broadband Infrastructure Office.
This spring, Iredell County Public Library Director Juli Moore and her staff will offer digital skills classes to Success Institute Charter School, a K-8 school with 94 students and 12 staff members. The library has an established relationship with Success Institute as the students visit weekly and use it as their school library. The students and staff can earn a Chromebook by participating in Iredell County Public Library’s digital skills classes. The library’s Digital Navigator and another library staff member will visit the school and provide classes to every grade from kindergarten through eighth grade during the school day. There are plans for Iredell County Public Library’s Digital Literacy Program to provide digital skills classes and Chromebooks to incoming kindergarteners and new students that enroll in the 2023 - 2024 school year before their grant cycle ends on September 30, 2023.
Digital skills instruction goes beyond teaching students and school staff how to use a computer or navigate the web. They learn about internet safety, communicating online safely, what it means to be a responsible digital citizen, and evaluating online information.
The partnership between Iredell County Public Library and Success Institute Charter School is a natural fit. Moore shares, “We’re really excited about that, and so are they because they would never be able to have a one-to-one technology initiative in their school.” Moore says that the “Success Institute students are the ones whom these grant funds were designed to help.”
Library Director Juli Moore and her staff look forward to the next phase of Iredell County Public Library’s Digital Literacy Program and partnership with Success Institute Charter School. “I think it really puts Success Institute on more of a level playing field because Iredell County - Statesville schools have one-to-one initiative, and Mooresville Graded School District does too. This will help Success Institute Charter School and its students.” Iredell County Public Library’s digital skills instruction will prepare students for lifelong success.
Iredell County's Digital Literacy Program is partly funded by the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds allocated to the State Library of North Carolina through the Andrea Harris Task Force for its digital inclusion initiatives. These funds help the State Library address the digital divide by implementing digital inclusion programs through several North Carolina public libraries. In addition to Iredell County, Duplin County Libraries, Sandhill Regional Library System, Fontana Regional Library, BHM Regional Library, and Wilson County Public Libraries are working with the State Library on this initiative. The State Library of North Carolina is proud to collaborate with these libraries to increase digital equity in their communities.
Note: Let us know if you know of a North Carolina Library doing a cool project, initiative, or program! Connect with us at slnc.info@ncdcr.gov.