November 2021—Collaborating to Build Digital Literacy Skills in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Raynor Memorial Libraries received an $23,297 IMLS grant to partner with the work-study program to develop a work-based digital literacy program to address gaps in educational access for high school students that have been exacerbated by COVID-19. The program will help prepare students to transition from high school to college and into the digital work environment.
Students from Cristo Rey will work in the library’s Digital Scholarship Lab where they will identify a challenge created or amplified by COVID-19 and develop a digital project to address the challenge. Students will learn about modes of digital communication, digital citizenship, critically evaluating digital content, their role as creators of information, and introductory software and coding. At the completion of this project, a shareable, peer reviewed best practices model will be created for academic libraries seeking to partner with community groups on digital literacy initiatives.
For more information, please contact Acting Dean of Libraries Tara Baillargeon.