The Upper Norwood library trust has been awarded £15,000 from the People’s Health Trust to fund a digital outreach and learning project at the library.
The grant will provide IT training and free access to computers for disadvantaged local residents as a way to engage them in learning and reduce social exclusion.
The trust is now seeking to employ someone to manage the set up and delivery of the digital outreach and learning project based at the Upper Norwood joint library on Westow Hill.
The Library’s IT capacity is currently being upgraded with new broadband being installed with funding from Lambeth council.
Emma Sharville, one of the trust’s co-chairs who worked closely with the library staff to secure the funding grant, said: “We are very grateful to the People’s Health Trust for their funding.
“This is a great project which will provide free IT training and supported access to computers for disadvantaged local residents and to engage them in learning opportunities and promote social inclusion.”
The trust is now keen to hear from anyone with the skills to set up and deliver the digital inclusion project engaging with individuals, groups and partner organisations to break down barriers to digital and social exclusion.
The role will also involve building and maintaining successful working relationships with appropriate local community organisations to create volunteering and social action opportunities for residents to contribute to and improve their skills and capabilities, and optimise their on-going access to IT facilities within the library.
UNLT Trustee Bryher Scudamore who is handling the recruitment process said: “The position of digital inclusion project co-ordinator is funded for a year at £15 per hour on a 10 hours per week basis.
“We are seeking someone with core competences of engaging, developing and delivering a range of information, communications and technology (ICT) activities within a community setting, with a well developed knowledge of different methods of engaging communities and partner agencies.”
Robert Gibson, who is the trust’s other co-chair, said: “The community of Crystal Palace has demonstrated just how much it wants and needs its library and fought heroically hard to stop its library being closed.
“We are very grateful for the moral and financial support of Lambeth council and the albeit much reduced funding from Croydon council.
“This project is a great way to demonstrate to all our local authority stakeholders that our library can play a massive role in community cohesion, social inclusion and education.
“Libraries have a crucial role in enabling people to develop the information literacy skills to become digitally included.
“Our library in particular enjoys a unique loyalty and position of trust amongst the residents of Crystal Palace and is therefore ideally placed to help support those most socially excluded become digitally empowered.”
Candidates are invited to send their CV and contact details touppernorwoodlibrarytrust@
THERE’S LOTS HAPPENING IN THE LIBRARY!!!
Thursday 20th February 3.30pm to 4pm: Welsh mythical stories
