ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The St. Louis County Library (SLCL) has announced two initiatives to help spread access to the internet and provide digital training for library patrons with one beginning Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Adults with a valid library card now can reserve a Wi-Fi hot spot device for a certain length of time, according to a press release.
Bookable hot spots can be reserved up to one year in advance and the devices can be checked out for 21 days.
“St. Louis County Library continues to find ways to make digital access more attainable for so many in our community. Digital equity allows everyone a chance to fully participate in society and the economy through reliable access to information, resources, education and entertainment,” said Kristen Sorth, St. Louis County Library director and CEO.
SLCL will partner with TechSTL this summer to host free Digital Proficiency Pro certifications. TechSTL has pledged to equip 10,000 underserved St. Louisans with digital literacy training over the next three years, according to the press release.
“Learning a new tech skill can open the door to a higher paying job and expand access to things like digital learning, telehealth, and social connectivity,” said Emily Hemingway, executive director of TechSTL.
“TechSTL is committed to offering tech education opportunities to all St. Louis residents and the County Library is the perfect partner to pilot this free program. We are eager to get started changing lives and households through tech.”
The organization is one of 10 national recipients of the Verizon Community Enhancement Award to drive digital inclusion.
“These two new initiatives address two of the most pressing issues - access to technology and digital literacy. People often turn to the Library for answers and we are happy to announce two new solutions,” Sorth said.
During the pandemic, the Library provided thousands of tablet devices called “GrandPads” to keep old adults connected and provided students with Chromebooks, Wi-Fi hot spots and virtual tutoring services.
All 20 SLCL locations have Chromebook and hot spot kits for check out to connect to the internet at home, according to the press release. All library branches also offer free Wi-Fi and public computers.
Additionally, there is on-one-on assistance from a lab trainer available.
