Empowering Seniors as Digital Citizens
Nashville Public Library, Tenn.
Innovation Synopsis
Nashville Public Library provides seniors access to devices, the internet and training. The library’s digital inclusion programs for seniors are designed to help them diminish isolation, strengthen family ties, broaden horizons and access critical health and government services. NPL helps ensure seniors aren’t left out of the digital world.
Challenge/Opportunity
More and more services targeting seniors are moving to the internet, including investment and retirement planning, social security, Medicare information and social services. But 10,000 local, low-income households with at least one Medicare beneficiary don't have a computer, and nearly 12,000 lack internet access. Since grandparents raise one in 20 Tennessee children, the effects of these statistics are intergenerational.
Key Elements of Innovation
- NPL formed partnerships with agencies and organizations serving seniors, especially low-income seniors (United Way; Metropolitan Development and Housing; FiftyForward; Salvation Army; Metro Parks; National Council on Aging).
- The library’s Digital Inclusion Team offers small-group classes that are friendly and low-pressure. Training is extremely interactive; trainers provide focused attention, helping learners overcome fears.
- As non-digital natives, our staff (all aged 50+) understand challenges of learning technology.
- NPL takes Mobile Technology Labs citywide, providing customized trainings.
Achieved Outcomes
According to answers to survey questions developed by the Public Library Association's Project Outcome, participants reported they feel more knowledgeable and more confident about using computers and technology (95 percent), intend to apply the skills they learned to their daily lives (90 percent) and are more aware of technology resources and services provided by NPL (95 percent).