Free Digital Literacy Classes at Your Library

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) is working with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy (BBF), AT&T, and the Public Library Association (PLA) to narrow the digital divide in Charleston. Through this partnership, CCPL will offer a variety of free digital literacy courses at several branches throughout the first few months of 2024.

Courses, which will follow the Digital Learn curriculum developed by AT&T and PLA, not only provide digital literacy instruction for patrons and build digital resilience in a landscape of new technologies, but also address digital equity by ensuring everyone has access to the information and technologies that they need. The courses are FREE and attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card. Course topics include:

January

• Internet Basics – Jan. 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the Otranto Road Library
• Mobile Device Basics for Android – Jan. 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the Hurd/St. Andrews Library

February

• Working with Apps – Feb. 15 at 1:30 p.m. at Otranto Road Library
• Mobile Device Basics for iOS – Feb. 27 at 2:30 p.m. at the Hurd/St. Andrews Library
• Internet Basics – Feb. 29 at 3 p.m. at the Keith Summey North Charleston Library

March

• Basic Concepts of the Internet – March 12 at 5 p.m. at the Keith Summey North Charleston Library (**This course will be taught in Spanish)

The BBF has provided hands-on training to CCPL staff as well as their Digital Literacy Resource Guide to enhance interactions with adult learners as they seek to acquire new digital skills. The resource guide was created for educators, coaches and mentors, and peer reviewed by 16 adult literacy experts and corporate partners. It provides a comprehensive framework for promoting digital literacy skills through the lens of the whole adult learner by encouraging users to view how factors vary, connect, and interact to support wellbeing and lifelong learning in the context of digital literacy.

CCPL is a member of the Lowcountry Digital Equity Coalition, administered by Tri-County Cradle to Career. Enhancing digital literacy is part of CCPL’s current strategic goals and provides ongoing technical and digital programs and services.

For more information on these courses, as well as other upcoming CCPL programs and events, contact your local library branch.