Latest news with #DigiLibrary
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Rockford Library's Digilibrary van delivers tech access on the go
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Public Library's 'DigiLibrary' van launched in March, bringing computer classes to the community. 'Everybody is kind of expected to have access to technology, a smartphone, computer access, the ability to use all of those things. And if they don't, there's a lot that you can't really do,' said RPL's Digital Librarian Tiffany Hayes. Hayes said the DigiLibrary has helped a broad spectrum of Rockford residents. On Tuesday, it visited the Brooke Road United Methodist Church, at 404 Brooke Road. 'Monday's hour rotating staff of the senior residences, and they get books and also can ask for help with their devices, laptops, computers, that kind of thing,' Hayes said. 'And Monday afternoons, we have a stop at the Irving Avenue Strong community house, and that's like an after-school program. So the kids get computers, books, STEM activities, that kind of thing.' Hayes said the staff also help at Carpenter's Place, the nonprofit homeless advocacy group, on Wednesdays, creating resumes. Seniors, like Sandy McCallum, said they have seen the biggest impact. 'People need to be able to come in and learn how to use computers, learn word processing, learn how to make an application, learn how to fax something, how to copy something,' she said. 'They are amazed that they can come here and get all that. And it doesn't cost anything. In this day and age, we all need to learn to use computers because that's where we get our information so much of the time.' Hayes added, 'It definitely has room to grow, but it's had a really positive response so far and really successful kind of rollout to the places that we're able to be. We consistently get questions of do we have computer classes? Can I get there? You know, how do I get on a computer, that kind of thing. So, yeah, I definitely think it's going to grow.' A schedule of the DigiLibrary stops is listed on the Rockford Public Library. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rockford Public Library's ‘DigiLibrary' hits the road March 10
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – A tool to help the Rockford Public Library make its services more accessible to the community will go live Monday, March 10. Officials say the 'DigiLibrary' will bring lifelong learning opportunities to the city. 'We're going to be going throughout, all over the city, offering computer courses,' ' said RPL Manager of Digital Services Kathi Kresol. The courses, Kresol added, are part of a bigger goal. 'What we are really bringing is access,' she added. 'We are bringing access to the internet. We can pull up in to a neighborhood [and] set up some tables with some Chromebooks. People can come check their email with us.' The DigiLibrary is a 2024 Ford Transit van that has been outfitted as a state-of-the art internet hotspot. 'We will also be partnering with several places like the Brooke Road Community Center and the Northwest Community Center and offering computer classes in those neighborhoods,' Kresol said. In addition to internet access, the DigiLibrary provides access to instruction and access to devices. The service includes three dozen Chromebooks that will be used for classes and for Rockford residents to check out with their library card. 'Access to the internet, access to the devices and access to how to use that all,' Kresol said. Rockford leaders say the service is a prime example of how things continue to evolve. It also helps put an exclamation point on RPL's role as a 21st century library. 'If someone's having trouble with transportation, the DigiLibrary can come to them,' Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said in a previous report. 'If a kid is playing at a park, the DigiLibrary can come to them. If there's a senior who may need to learn how to communicate with a younger relative in a different community via their phone and wants to learn how to do FaceTime, they can do it here.' The van was donated by SiFi Networks, the company that's in the process of building a citywide fiberoptic internet network in Rockford. 'Closing the digital divide is very important to us, and we are thrilled to have partnered with the Rockford Public Library with our donation of the DigiLibrary and its tech to create a sustained impact throughout the city, bringing connectivity to the hands of those that are challenged to connect. We look forward to seeing it around the city providing a vital service,' a company spokesperson said Thursday in an email to Eyewitness News. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
