Digital Literacy Workshops

Monetary Incentives From PLA

This announcement comes from the Public Library Association in partnership with AT&T.  Both are collaborating to help public libraries provide  important programming in building up more digitally literate communities.  This new incentive from PLA is designed to support the public library role in offering digital literacy courses and training materials.

From PLA: “Every day community members who lack basic computer knowledge and skills access their local public libraries hoping to complete life tasks many of us take for granted. The Public Library Association (PLA) is proud to partner with AT&T to expand upon its work helping libraries and their communities close the digital divide through and improved DigitalLearn.org courses and training materials.”

Note, these digital literacy materials are freely available in English and Spanish at DigitalLearn.Org.  But it’s the incentive grants that provide funding to support library adoption of the new course material and training material to use in local library programming. The courses address skills such as getting started with email, navigating websites and commonly used apps, operating search engines, online safety, video conferencing, and more.

More From PLA

“Our 2020 Public Library Technology Survey found that more than 88% of all public libraries offer some form of digital literacy programming. Respondents also reported, though, that the greatest challenges libraries face in providing digital literacy assistance or training relate to staffing, including adequate staffing to start and maintain programs, as well as staff with needed expertise to lead training.  DigitalLearn.Org was developed to help add capacity for public libraries to meet these challenges.”

Applications and Funding Amounts

Applications are now open for the PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Training Incentive.  All public libraries in the United States and Washington DC, are eligible to apply for one of two incentive amounts, thanks to corporate support from AT&T..

-- Tier 1 Incentive recipients will receive $4,000 and be required to conduct a minimum of three workshops reaching a total of 18 learners.

-- Tier 2 Incentive recipients will receive $7,000 and be required to conduct a minimum of five workshops reaching a minimum of 50 learners.

The application deadline is June 10, 2022.  Applications will be reviewed and selected by a PLA committee in July, recipients will be announced in August. Learn more and apply by clicking below.

Apply for Digital Literacy Workshop Incentives

A Library Collection For Library Staff

Continuing Education Consultant Samantha Bouwers provides this reminder.  The State Library maintains a library science collection at our agency headquarters in Des Moines.  Library science titles can be expensive additions to local collections.  So this is a valuable niche that the State Library can fill by providing a professional development collection for Iowa librarians to borrow.  There are actually two collections to browse. 

In the State Library's Collection

The State Library’s physical collection in Des Moines contains over 4,000 titles; 63 items were added so far this fiscal year. Here are just a few:

209 Big Programming Ideas for Small Budgets—notably by Iowa librarian Chelsea Price

Crucial Conversations (3^rd edition)

Libraries & Sustainability: Programs and Practices for Community Impact

Counting: How to Use Numbers to Decide What Matters

Exhibits & Displays: A Practical Guide for Librarians

And in the BRIDGES Collection

In addition to the Des Moines collection, the BRIDGES collection contains over 100 digital library science titles, including

Great Library Events: From Planning to Promotion to Evaluation

Before the Ballot: Building Political Support for Library Funding

Power Up Your Read-Alouds: Building Reading Excitement Through Technology

Tech Savvy Reading Promotion: A Toolbox for Librarians and Other Educators

Library Volunteers: A Practical Guide for Librarians

Sam Bouwers also shares a snappy new feature on the main page of the State Library’s online catalog.  Added by Amy Rollinger, the new feature is a carousel of books newly added to the Des Moines professional collection.  Click the button below to browse our online catalog and see how to borrow books through Interlibrary Loan.  Thanks to Sam for this needed reminder and to Amy for the carousel display of new library science titles.

Library Science Titles in State Library Collection

This Week and Next

There are a few more c.e. options to choose from before closing out a busy education month of May.  Before the holiday weekend arrives, take a look:

- Director Roundtables Continue.  In-person at various locations statewide

- POP YS Live Book Club:  May 23 @ 11:00AM Online.

- The Boardroom--Facing Crucial Conversations:  May 26 @ 6:00PM Online.

Register in IALearns

Memorial Weekend

Next Monday is Memorial Day, a holiday for the State Library and for yours. 
Combining the holiday with a vacation to follow, look for the next issue of the Monday Morning Eye-Opener on June 13.  Enjoy the holiday weekend!