CONNECTICUT, USA — Seven public libraries in Connecticut are launching a new initiative to help those who may not have access to technology or the training on how to use it.
“People need help with all different types of things, some a little bit more pressing than others,” said Daniel Velez, a digital navigator for Woodbridge and West Haven Libraries. “Like, we have immigrants that are trying to apply to the community college to learn English. Like, all they have is a phone and it’s a little difficult to do that.”
Velez and two other digital navigators have been on the job after a soft launch of the program back in July. The multilingual workers help people with everything from applying to a job to paying rent online.
“We’re like extended tech help for people. Like we don’t help for 15 minutes, we don’t help for 30, we could help for like 90 minutes at a time,” Velez said.
The initiative, funded through $250,000 in federal grant money, involves Bridgeport Public Library, Derby Neck Public Library, Hamden Public Library, Howard Whittemore Memorial Library in Naugatuck, New Haven Free Public Library, West Haven Public Library and Woodbridge Town Library.
All of the libraries are combining resources to close what is known as the digital divide, which the pandemic shined a bright light on.
“Which laid bare how vast the divide is between those who have ready access to technology and to digital tools, and those who do not,” Deborah Schander, a Connecticut state librarian, said.
The state library is at the helm of the program, which models a similar one that already exists in Hamden.
Hamden started rolling out its own digital navigators during the pandemic.
“We moved them outside of the brick and mortar of the library and into the community. We made it possible for them to meet people in the community at public locations that fit their schedule, that fit their needs that were in their neighborhoods,” Melissa Canham-Clyne, director at the Hamden Public Library, said.
Through the regional program, people can either get help with their current device or, if they don’t have one and they qualify, they could get their hands on a free laptop or tablet.
“We’ve seen people get jobs. We’ve seen people connect with family in Africa. We’ve seen people connect with doctors. We’ve seen people get into substance abuse programs, as well as grieving groups,” Canham-Clyne said. “We are very fortunate that six other libraries took a risk to join us in this regional hub.”
The digital navigators recommended people make an appointment ahead of time with any of the seven participating library branches. Clients can then meet them at the library or any other public place.
“Where’s always this like release of tension where it’s like, ‘Oh my God, I’ve been dealing with this problem for so long, and nobody’s been able to help me,’” Velez said. “If there’s something that’s been frustrating or something that’s with technology that’s stopping you from living your life to the fullest extent or stopping you from meeting the doctor or anything like that, we can help with that.”
To create an appointment with a digital navigator for free, people can call or text the following numbers: 959-261-0689 (English); 203-584-3517 (Español); 203-521-9740 (اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ).
Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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