With technology changing rapidly and digital literacy skills becoming increasingly important, Palliser Regional Library is rolling out a program to help young and old alike navigate these challenges.
The federal government recently provided $29.5 million to 27 non-profit agencies across the country — or $191,000 each — to run programs that teach important digital skills to Canadians and ensure no one is left behind in the digital economy. The federal government pointed out certain groups, such as seniors, new immigrants, youths, Indigenous peoples, and low-income Canadians, are in need of these skills.
Palliser was one of two Saskatchewan agencies to receive this funding. All the digital literacy courses Palliser plans to offer are free and open to everyone.
Palliser Regional Library
“We were super, super pleased (to receive funding). It will address a need in this area that we could not have provided in any other way,” said Jan Smith, director of Palliser Regional Library.
The federal grant ensures the regional library can purchase equipment and hire staff to run its South Central Digital Literacy Program. This program will focus on areas such as teaching people how to use their smartphones, tablets and the many new apps now available, along with internet safety.
Palliser intends to offer 10 courses over the next two years, with each class lasting between one to three hours.
It’s a misconception that kids know everything about smartphones, said Smith. They know how to tweet and use social media, but there are tools that could also be helpful, such as enlarging text or controlling their phones with verbal commands.
There is a need and demand for this type of training, especially in the rural areas where the information is simply not there, she continued. Residents are usually on their own after ordering a smartphone online.
Seniors also need to be taught how to use this new technology, Smith added. Rural libraries continually receive requests about how to use iPhones and Android-operated devices, especially when seniors receive a new phone for Christmas. They are also unsure how to use email or send and receive pictures.
With the federal funding, Palliser Regional Library hired Brianna Miller, a digital literacy librarian, to oversee the South Central Digital Literacy Program from April 2019 to March 31, 2021. She will travel to each of the 19 rural branches and within the City of Moose Jaw to ensure the program runs smoothly.
“I’m excited,” Miller said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. … It’s going to be helpful.”
Types of training
Palliser recently launched group training sessions and plans to offer courses on basic email usage as part of its first tranche of digital skills workshops. The email course will focus on setting up an account, internet safety, and sending, receiving and storing pictures.
Scheduled to launch in August and run until November are sessions on how to use iPhones and iPads, including texting, tweeting, using Instagram and dozens of other tips. A companion course on using Android phones — particularly Samsung — and tablets will also be offered.
For residents with moderate knowledge of technology, the regional library is also developing courses to help people take their skills to the next level. This includes online shopping and social media usage.
Another important area the digital literacy program will cover includes online banking. Besides teaching how to withdraw and deposit money, the program will also show how to transfer money to friends and how to renegotiate mortgages online.
“The banks are really enthusiastic about it and they’re bending over backwards to help us,” said Smith, “to make sure we know their app.”
Palliser Regional Library has been teaching digital literacy skills for the past 20 years, she added. However, there is still a need since technology has changed so much that the focus is now on smartphones and less on computers.
