The partnership facilitated serving customers who may not typically visit a public library due to fear or because they may not be familiar with the American public library model. We not only served as a safe and gracious space but also as a connector to increased technology literacy and employment. From our initial partnership, we have replicated the service in multiple branches and plan to continue to partner with Featherstone.

“Empowering Latinos One ‘Click’ at a Time” provided computer basics, job readiness skills and provided laptops for homes. While adults were in class, Featherstone childcare providers and library staff engaged the children of participants in STEM, Literacy, and Maker activities. “The Reaching New Heights” program prepared bilingual, low-income and underemployed Latino candidates in job readiness skills and customer service. They were matched with employers in the financial industry.

This partnership decreased the digital divide, increased employment opportunities for participants, enhanced participants’ ability to support their children, increased individual confidence and trust and made lasting library and community connections for participants. By providing STEM programming to the children of the participants, we sought to address the underrepresentation of Latinos in STEM fields. The program exposed participants to library resources and services, as many had not previously visited a library. Additional outcome information on website.