For immediate release | June 20, 2023
PLA awards $1.27 million to more than 200 Public Libraries for digital literacy and ACP workshops
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National initiative part of expanded support from AT&T to help families build online skills and learn about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
CHICAGO —Powered by a contribution from AT&T, the Public Library Association (PLA) has selected more than 200 public libraries across 45 states to host digital literacy and. The PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentives, supported by AT&T support public libraries in their work improving digital skills and promoting broadband adoption among families and communities. The workshops leverage the online digital literacy courses, created by PLA in collaboration with AT&T, that are freely available to anyone through and AT&T ScreenReady. DigitalLearn.org online courses and training materials were developed with and for library staff and their patrons.
This second cohort is part of an expanded national initiative and collaboration between PLA and AT&T. In 2022, 160 libraries were selected to be part of the PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive, supported by AT&T. The initial group of libraries held more than 1,500 workshops which helped over 8,000 learners build skills and confidence using technology. This new cohort will increase the number of learners libraries can continue to reach.
PLA President Maria McCauley said, “Public libraries continuously play a vital role in providing digital literacy tools and information to their communities. The expansion of this powerful collaboration with AT&T for the second year will ensure that even more families and communities can benefit from programs and resources that increase digital access and equity.”
Workshops, available in English and Spanish, will be offered on 8 digital literacy topics, as well as how to apply and use the ACP benefit. Courses cover basic technology skills which include topics such as internet use, video conferencing, cybersecurity, and mobile device basics and ACP basics.
“DigitalLearn aligns perfectly with our library’s mission of providing equitable access to digital literacy, technology, and information. DigitalLearn has played a critical role in our library by providing digital support and literacy. Our library will continue to use this resource in a variety of ways." said Miranda Robbins, New Braunfels Public Library, New Braunfels, TX, 2022 cohort participant.
“Collaboration is a crucial part of helping to close the digital divide,” said Charlene Lake, chief sustainability officer, senior vice president, AT&T corporate responsibility. “Our work with libraries is making a difference as we meet people in their local neighborhoods and bring them digital literacy tools and resources so they can gain the skills needed to participate in our connected world.”
Workshops funded by the PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive will be conducted online and/or in person at participating libraries across the United States in 2023. Workshops will begin in August and will be offered through December 2023. Patrons should check with your local libraries to learn about upcoming workshops in the community.
Selected Libraries (* indicates participation in both incentive programs)
- Adamstown Area Library
- Alamance County Public Libraries
- Alameda County Library
- Alexandria Public Library
- Algona Public Library
- Altoona Public Library
- Amador County Library
- Anacortes Public Library
- Aram Public Library
- Asotin County Library
- Augusta County Library
- Augusta Public Library*
- Avon Grove Library
- Azalea Regional Library System
- Baldwin Borough Public Library
- Baltimore County Public Library
- Bandon Public Library
- Bangor Public Library
- Bay County Public Library
- Bellmore Memorial Library
- Bemis Public library
- Bethlehem Area Public Library
- Blair Public Library and Technology Center
- Blue Island Public Library
- Bondurant Community Library
- Boulder Public Library
- Brandon Free Public Library
- Breeden Memorial Library
- Bridgeport Public Library
- Bristol Public Library*
- Britton Public Library
- Brookings Public Library
- Broward County Libraries Division
- Brown County Public Library
- Burnsville Public Library
- Cambridge Public Library
- Campbell County Public Library
- Carpinteria Community Library
- Carroll and Madison Library System
- Centerville Public Library
- Charles County Public Library
- Charleston County Public Library
- Charlotte Library
- Chelmsford Public Library
- Chester County Library & District Center
- Chillicothe Public Library District
- Churchill County Library
- City of Roseburg
- Cobb County Public Library System*
- Community Libraries of Providence
- Cranston Public Library
- Cumberland County Public Library
- Cutler Memorial Library
- CVW Long Lake Public Library
- Cynthiana-Harrison County Public Library*
- D. A. Hurd Public Library Association
- Danville-Center Township Public Library
- David F. Cargo El Valle de Anton Chico Library
- DC Public Library*
- De Soto Trail Regional Library System*
- DeKalb County Public Library
- Del Norte County Library District
- Delaware Division of Libraries
- Delmont Public Library
- Delray Beach Public Library
- Desert Foothills Library
- Dougherty County Public Library
- Driftwood Public Library
- E.D. Locke Public Library
- East Brookfield Public Library*
- East Chicago Public Library
- East Cleveland Public Library
- East Providence Public Library*
- El Paso Community College Jenna Welch and Laura Bush Community Library
- Elmwood Park Public Library
- Emmaus Public Library*
- Ephrata Public Library
- Ericson Public Library
- Ferguson Library
- Fletcher Free Library
- Fort Kent Public Library
- Frank Sarris Public Library
- Fulton County Library (GA)
- Fulton County Library (PA)
- Genesee District Library*
- Gibsonville Public Library
- Gladwin County District Library
- Glen Ellyn Public Library
- Grant County Library
- Gravette Public Library
- Green County Public Library
- Greenburgh Public Library
- Gwinnett County Public Library
- Hammond Community Library
- Harris County Public Library
- Harrison Public Library
- Hastings Public Library
- Hazel M. Lewis Library
- Heartland Library Cooperative*
- Heartland Regional Library System
- Henry Waldinger Memorial Library of Valley Stream
- Heritage Public Library
- Hialeah Public Libraries
- Highwood Public Library
- Hillside Public Library
- Homer Public Library
- Homewood Public Library
- Hornell Public Library
- Huntsville-Madison County Public Library
- Iowa City Public Library
- Jackson County Library Services
- Jefferson County Library -
- Jefferson-Madison Regional Library*
- Jerseyville Public Library
- Kimball Public Library
- Lake Andes Public Library
- Lake Park Public Library*
- Letts Public Library
- Liberty Library*
- Lincoln County Library
- Lincoln Township Public Library
- Little Elm Public Library*
- Lodi Public Library
- Logan-Hocking County District Library
- Lone Cone Library District
- Longview Public Library
- Loveland Public Library*
- Madison Public Library
- Mason County Public Library
- McCracken County Public Library
- McIntosh Memorial Library
- /Memphis Public Libraries
- Menominee County Library
- Mentor Public Library
- Middle Georgia Regional Library
- Middlebury Public Library
- Mill Valley Public Library
- Mohawk Valley Library System*
- Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library
- Montour Falls Library
- Morgantown Public Library System
- Nampa Public Library
- Navajo Nation Library
- Nevada County Library
- New Rochelle Public Library
- New Ulm Public Library
- Niles-Maine District Library
- North Riverside Public Library
- North Valley Public Library
- Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library
- Onslow County Public Library
- Osceola Library System: Hart Memorial Central Library:
- Oxford Public Library
- Parkston Public Library
- Parsippany Library
- Philipsburg Area Community Library*
- Pike County Public Library
- Plainsboro Free Public Library
- Portsmouth Public Library
- Pottstown Regional Public Library
- Pottsville Free Public Library*
- Prince William Public Libraries
- Providence Public Library
- Pueblo City-County Library District
- Putnam County Library
- Ray Township Public Library*
- Richton Park Public Library District
- Rio Community Library
- Rochester Public Library District
- Rockingham Free Public Library
- Rosenberg Library
- Rusk County Community Library
- Santa Barbara Public Library
- Santa Cruz Public Libraries
- Schaumburg Township District Library
- Scottsboro Public Library
- Sharpsburg Community Library
- Shelby County Public Library
- Sherwood Public Library
- Skidompha Public Library
- Slippery Rock Community Library
- Somerset County Library
- South Georgia Regional Library
- South Mississippi Regional Library
- Southworth Public Library
- St. Charles City-County Library District
- Staunton Public Library
- Stillwater Public Library
- Sturgis Public Library
- Sunflower County Library System
- Terrebonne Parish Library
- The Malvern-Hot Spring County Library
- Thomas St. Angelo Public Library of Cumberland, WI
- Thomaston Public Library*
- Tifton-Tift Co. Public Library
- Town of Esopus Library
- Traverse Area District Library
- Trenton Veterans Memorial Library
- Trussville Public Library
- Tulsa City-County Library
- Twinsburg Public Library
- University City Public Library*
- Upper Skagit Library
- Volga City Public Library
- W. Walworth Harrison Public Library
- Wantagh Public Library
- Waterloo Public Library
- Wayne County Public Library
- Webster Parish Library
- Westerville Public Library
- Whale Pass Public Library
- William B Harlan Memorial Library
- William F. Laman Public Library*
- Williamson Public Library
- Wolcott Public Library
- Woodbury Public Library*
- Wythe-Grayson Regional Library
- Yankton Community Library
- Yavapai County Free Library District
- Zula B. Wylie Public Library
About the Public Library Association
The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. Founded in 1944, PLA serves nearly 9,000 members in public libraries large and small in communities across the United States and Canada, with a growing presence around the world. PLA strives to help its members shape the essential institution of public libraries by serving as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or pla@ala.org.
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities. and improving lives. As part of our company wide $2 billion commitment from 2021–2023 to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning to invest in connectivity and technology, digital literacy, and education solutions. We aim to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008, we’ve committed more than $600 million to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.
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