Northwest Corner libraries launch regional digital navigation program

“Libraries have evolved into community centers where all types of programming are offered, and technology has become such a part of our daily lives.”
Gretchen Hachmeister, Library Director, Hotchkiss Library of Sharon

A collaborative of seven Northwest Corner libraries has secured funding to launch a regional digital navigation program aimed at helping residents adapt to an increasingly technology-driven world.

The Northwest Connecticut Library Collaborative recently received a $33,666 grant from the Foundation for Community Health to support the first year of the initiative, with contingent approval for two additional years. The collaborative plans to hire two part-time digital navigators to provide one-on-one tech support throughout the region beginning this fall.

The collaborative includes the Cornwall Library, Douglas Library, David M. Hunt Library, Hotchkiss Library of Sharon, Kent Memorial Library, Norfolk Library and Scoville Memorial Library.

The digital navigators will help residents with tasks ranging from setting up email accounts and printers to accessing telehealth services, applying for jobs and learning how to use other digital devices.

“Libraries have always been the trusted source for accurate information,” said Gretchen Hachmeister, executive director of the Hotchkiss Library. “Over the years, libraries have evolved into community centers where all types of programming are offered, and technology has become such a part of our daily lives.”

Hachmeister said the library staff are regularly asked to troubleshoot technology issues, but often lack the time or specialized expertise.

“We get every possible tech question at the library,” she said. “This new program will allow us to have people with higher skill levels than the average staff person.”

The concept for the program is four years in the making, Hachmeister said, with a collaborative, multi-library approach emerging as a necessity due to a lack of financial resources for small rural libraries.

A digital navigator will be available in each library three hours a week with a predictable, set schedule.

Additional support came from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Northwest CT Community Foundation for training, equipment and digital literacy curriculum subscriptions.

The collaborative hopes to hire digital navigators by early summer, train them throughout the season and launch the program regionwide by October.