Digital Navigators at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library

Applying for housing, bill paying, grocery shopping, accessing lab and medical results, parent/teacher communications. All of these activities often take place online. As a result, people without internet access can be at a disadvantage in managing many everyday tasks. A new initiative at The Roeliff Jansen Community Library aims to help close this divide.

The Roeliff Jansen Community Library is participating in Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley, a program that seeks to provide free technology assistance to residents of the region. Staff of the Roeliff Jansen Community Library received training to become navigators.

Digital navigators are trained guides who work in libraries or community organizations. They assist anyone in need with using a device, securing free or low-cost internet service, and much more. The program is administered by the Southeastern New York Library Resources Council and supported with federal American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated to the New York State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

It’s free to utilize the services of The Roeliff Jansen Community Library’s digital navigators. Navigators can help connect people to low-cost internet service and learn to use a device. They can also assist with a variety of key tasks, including:

●      Finding ways to purchase low-cost phones or computers
●      Finding resources for housing and submit online applications
●      Managing healthcare, including: telehealth visits, patient portals, and other information
●      Locating food resources
●      Making a resume and filling out online job applications
●      Making video calls to family and friends
●      Connecting with public information like local government meetings
●      Applying for services and benefits such as SNAP, Medicaid, and more
●      Accessing educational services, such as remote learning opportunities or connecting to a child’s school portal
●      Dealing with daily life tasks such as online grocery shopping or paying bills
●      Learning digital skills, including how to use social media and Library e-resources

To connect with a navigator at Roeliff Jansen Community Library please call 518-325-4101 or email outreach@roejanlibary.org or communications@roejanlibrary.org. To get the full list of digital navigator locations in the region, visit hvconnected.org.

Trying to learn at home? Take advantage of these online courses provided by the Public Libraries Association.