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CHICAGO – The Public Library Association (PLA) is now accepting applications for public libraries to receive funding to conduct digital literacy workshops using resources. The PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive Program, supported by AT&T, provides up to $7,000 to support outreach and training in local communities. Library staff can learn more about this opportunity on May 19, 2022, at 1 p.m. Central as part of the PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive Office Hour. The webinar also will be archived and posted online.

The funding follows a recent announcement of new and updated DigitalLearn courses as part of the overall collaboration with AT&T to help close the digital divide. All public libraries in the United States and Washington, D.C., are now eligible to apply for one of two incentive amounts. 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. Workshops can be conducted in person or online and must be completed by March 31, 2023.

The incentive application deadline is June 10, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Central. Applications will be reviewed and selected by PLA member reviewers this summer, and recipients will be announced in August. Learn more about the applications process at /pla/initiatives/digitalliteracy/incentive.

Together, PLA and AT&T will continue to promote the availability of the new and improved digital literacy courses to libraries and community stakeholders. The courses are freely available to anyone on and are designed to build skills and confidence using technology. Available in English and Spanish, the courses address essential skills such as getting started with email, navigating websites and commonly used apps, operating search engines, online safety, video conferencing, and more.

As part of AT&T’s $2 billion commitment to narrow the digital divide and homework gap, AT&T employee volunteers are also using the new training materials in and other community settings to help newly connected parents and caregivers build skills using technology and to support their child’s online learning. The workshops are part of the AT&T Connected Learning initiative, which invests in digital inclusion, digital literacy, and digital learning solutions to help today’s students and their families succeed wherever they learn.

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 companywide $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.