Digital Navigators expand hours at Liverpool Public Library

by Melissa McCurdy | 4 months ago

Confused by your computer? Need assistance with an app? Smartphone outsmarting you? Visit our volunteer digital navigators on a walk-in, no appointment needed basis, to get the assistance you need!

Digital Navigators offer friendly, free, one-on-one assistance with any tech troubles that are bogging you down: They can answer device questions, assist with specific tech-based tasks, troubleshooting, online buying (like Amazon Marketplace), or job applications.

In collaboration with LiteracyCNY, a local non-profit that provides literacy tutoring and training, digital navigators are on-site at LPL, Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and with new extended hours, Wednesdays from 1:30 – 7:00 p.m.

According to Lydia Torres, Digital Literacy Coordinator at LiteracyCNY, volunteers have helped LPL patrons with 210 tasks (setting up email accounts, changing passwords), over 35 job applications, and contributed over 162 volunteer hours to the community since the program began in 2022.

In addition to walk-in help, you can also schedule digital-help appointments with LPL librarians, Mr. G, Mr. A or Mr. Daniel, from the library’s calendar on the LPL.org website. If you don’t have a device, but would still like to learn a basic skill, devices (laptops or Chromebooks) are available for use.

Does your schedule not fit with the hours offered at LPL? LiteracyCNY also offers digital navigator sessions at Maxwell Memorial Library in Camillus, Baldwinsville Public Library, Marcellus Free Library, and Community Library of DeWitt & Jamesville. Please check with the individual libraries or LiteracyCNY for their schedules.

If you are a more advanced digital technology user and want an in-home opportunity to expand your technology skills, patrons with a library card and pin number have full access to LinkedIn Learning, a free database with hundreds of classes from Microsoft Word & Excel to video editing and design.

Additionally, if you have the time and would like to volunteer your hours and proficiency to help others bridge the digital divide, Literacy CNY offers virtual digital literacy volunteer training. The next training session is Tuesday, February 28 at 6:00-7:00 p.m. For more information contact Lydia Torres at ltorres@literacycny.org or 315.643.0282.

Whether you need in-person or on-line help to improve or expand your digital literacy skills, Liverpool Public Library is here to help you achieve your goals.