Cumberland County Public Library is among more than 100 public libraries nationwide to receive $10,000 in funding from the Public Library Association (PLA) to enhance digital literacy in local communities. The funding, which comes from a $2.7 million contribution from AT&T, will support the library’s efforts to improve basic digital skills through workshops and utilizing digitallearn.org resources.

The PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive and the new PLA Digital Navigator Workshop Incentive are designed to support public libraries in advancing basic digital skills and literacy among families and communities. The workshops will feature materials from digitallearn.org, developed in partnership with AT&T, which are freely available to anyone through digitallearn.org and AT&T ScreenReady.

In addition to hosting multiple digital literacy workshops, Cumberland County Public Library will offer two bilingual Spanish workshops. The library hopes to empower individuals who may not speak English as their primary language with the tools needed to succeed in an increasingly digital society.

Attendees will have the opportunity to receive gift cards and other giveaways as well as enter a drawing for a chance to win a Chromebook. One Chromebook will be given away at each workshop.

“Our team is dedicated to helping our community members improve their digital skills,” said Public Library Division Manager for Community Engagement Kohnee Harmon in a press release. “This funding will greatly enhance our Digital Navigators program, enabling workshops that increase participants’ confidence with technology and improve their digital skills.”

“The Public Library Association is proud to support public libraries in being at the forefront of boosting digital literacy skills and bridging the digital divide in their communities,” said PLA President Michael Lambert in a press release. “With another year of PLA’s sustained collaboration with AT&T, more learners across the nation than ever before will get connected to vital digital literacy skills and technology resources at the library.”

PLA’s free training site, digitallearn.org, is designed to help individuals build the skills and confidence they need to use technology effectively. Cumberland County Public Library will assist patrons in utilizing these resources during workshops held in person at each of the county’s eight library locations from January to May 2025.

For more details about this grant or information regarding the workshops, please contact Kohnee Harmon at 910-483-7727 ext. 1340 or kharmon@cumberlandcountync.gov.