UPCOMING ULC EVENT
Develop a Blueprint to Meet the Needs of Your Community: Learning from the Digital Navigators
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Throughout the pandemic, public libraries have worked tirelessly to address the new and intensified digital access barriers resulting from COVID-19. One year since its inception, the Digital Navigators service model has been instrumental in equipping libraries with a proven framework to expand one-on-one support services beyond buildings and directly to individuals. The model facilitates access to technology for learners of diverse ages, languages and abilities.
Staff from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance have enabled public libraries to do this vital work through delivering four interactive training courses focused on understanding learner needs. Join leaders from NDIA to discover best practices from this training curriculum and find out how to access the free, open and reusable documents and templates you can use to replicate the Digital Navigator model in your community.
Participants will have the opportunity to hear from King County Library System staff and a KCLS Digital Navigator will outline how the training was critical to rolling out the program successfully in their library and community.
About the Digital Navigators Project:
In partnership with the Salt Lake City Public Library and National Digital Inclusion Alliance, ULC is advancing the Digital Navigators service model to help libraries address the new and intensified digital access barriers resulting from COVID-19. Now being piloted by SLCPL and NDIA through September 2021, the Digital Navigators model offers a replicable blueprint for meeting the digital needs of underserved community members via phone-based support services. Click here to learn more.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant number LG-248566-OLS-20. The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this webinar do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
QUESTIONS? Contact [email protected] for help with this event.
Paolo Balboa, Program Manager, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Paolo began his career in public library education and outreach in 2013, first in Cleveland and most recently at the New York Public Library. He has worked with the Mozilla Foundation and a cohort of practitioners and advocates to develop a Web Literacy toolkit, and he has served as a panelist at the American Library Association Annual Conference to discuss digital literacy. He received his master’s degree in library and information science with an emphasis on data visualization and user experience from the Pratt Institute. He is an advocate for access equity in a variety of spheres, including transportation, housing and of course, broadband. He lives in Brooklyn with his houseplants.
Dr. Audrey Barbakoff, Community Engagement and Economic Development Manager, King County Library System
Dr. Audrey Barbakoff is the community engagement and economic development manager at King County Library System. She is part of the team that developed and leads the KCLS Digital Navigators program, as well as a suite of digital and economic equity services. The Find Financial Assistance program she created was recognized as ULC's 2020 Top Innovator in Workforce and Economic Development. For her innovative programs and services for adults, she has been recognized as a Library Journal Mover & Shaker and a Kitsap Business Journal “40 Under 40.” Dr. Barbakoff received her doctoral degree in organizational change and leadership from the University of Southern California and her MLIS from the University of Washington. She is the author of Adults Just Wanna Have Fun: Programs for Emerging Adults, and her book 12 Steps to a Community-Led Library is forthcoming in fall 2022.
Thomas Swaner, Digital Navigator and Librarian, King County Library System
Thomas Swaner is working in his 20th year as a librarian at the Burien Library in the King County Library System and is beginning his 30th year of work in libraries. He has worked in academic, special and public libraries. He enjoys finding ways to connect with new library users.