Photo: Members of the JCALP Board, Rotary Club, and staff from Trails Regional Library show off one of the new Digital Literacy laptops. From left: Dane Miller, Joyce Michael, Angela Dickey, Melissa Truex, Don Burgin, Karen Hicklin, Carol Nolte, Jeanie Jones, Sara Evans, Marcia Ball, Kelli Fountain, Anna-Marie Dudte, Suzanne Taylor
Thanks to a generous $5,000 grant from the Warrensburg Rotary Club, the Johnson County Adult Literacy Program (JCALP) has partnered with Trails Regional Library to purchase a lab of laptop computers and supplies to offer technology and digital literacy training classes to the public. While connected organizations, JCALP and the Library have not previously worked together on a project of this scale. JCALP’s main focus is matching volunteer tutors with adult learners to improve skills in basic reading, math, and digital literacy. Trails Regional Library provides dedicated technology training in its branches but lacks a modern, user-friendly lab to provide patrons with the best learning environment. This partnership will allow both organizations to fulfil missions based in service and education.
With the new computer lab, Trails Regional Library’s staff will host a variety of digital literacy programs, including basic computer skills. JCALP Coordinator Jeanie Jones says, “With the advent of technology, learning now involves a variety of online tools. This grant will give adult learners in our community much needed access to technology and training.”
“Our focus in providing technology education is making sure our patrons gain knowledge, confidence, awareness, and applicable skills,” Trails Regional Library Services Coordinator Sara Evans said. “We are so grateful to Rotary and JCALP for providing these tools to help our patrons achieve these aims with up-to-date technology.”
JCALP tutors will also be able to use these computers to help adult learners with one-on-one training.
The first Digital Literacy Training program is set to begin on January 27, 2020 at 3:00pm at the Warrensburg Branch of Trails Regional Library.