Digital Literacy initiative will partner with libraries to meet tech mentors

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 December 2021 at 9:12 am

The Orleans Digital Literacy initiative has partnered with all the local libraries in Orleans County as meeting space for members of the community to meet tech mentors and receive tech help, according to Kathryn Leach from Cornell Cooperative Extension, who is coordinating the Digital Literacy program.

Members of the public can stop by with any tech questions, meet mentors and schedule tech mentoring. There will also be information guides which people can take home. An example includes tips on what to do if a cell phone or computer isn’t working well, and tips on how families can monitor their children’s technology use and keep their kids safe.

Participating are our tech mentors from Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Orleans County Career Center, Orleans County Adult Learning Services, Orleans County Office of the Aging and Hoag Library.

The tech mentoring educational program is administered by the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension and Leach will be at all the events. The program is funded by a grant obtained by United Way of Orleans County and executive director Dean Bellack will also attend.

The schedule of tech help events is as follows for January:

  • Saturday, Jan. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Yates Community Library in Lyndonville.
  • Monday, Jan. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Yates Community Library in Lyndonville.
  • Thursday, Jan. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hoag Library in Albion.
  • Saturday, Jan. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon at Hoag Library in Albion.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.
  • Saturday, Jan. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Community Free Library in Holley.
  • Saturday, Jan. 29 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Community Free Library in Holley.

In February, dates are:

  • Saturday, Feb. 5 from 5 to 11 a.m. at Yates Community Library.
  • Monday Feb. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Yates Community Library.
  • Tuesday, Feb. 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lee Whedon-Memorial Library in Medina.
  • Saturday, Feb. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.
  • Thursday, Feb. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hoag Library in Albion.
  • Saturday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon at Hoag Library in Albion.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Community Free Library in Holley.
  • Saturday, Feb. 26 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Community Free Library in Holley.

These events at local libraries will be a chance to meet people and spread the word about the tech mentoring services being provided through Cornell Cooperative Extension and United Way of Orleans County.