We provide a hands-on “Exploratorium” for skill and confidence building. The overall goal of these classes is to make coding and data analytics accessible to those who have little to no prior experience, help them build key competencies and start them on a pathway for more training or a career, if they are interested. These successful programs have positioned the library as a critical partner in the workforce system with government, employers and universities.

We help Rhode Islanders discover new skills through highly accessible, free learning opportunities that have no or few prerequisites. We design a welcoming, supportive and fun learning environment through a cohort-model and “gamified” instruction. Students present their final projects to guests from the tech industry and community. Providence Public Library is a leader in advocating for these “first step” programs and creating a career or learning pathway for learners with employer-informed curriculum.

In the past two years, 180 adults have participated in Rhode Coders with a greater than 50 percent enrollment by females and non-white students. Of 49 surveyed, 10 have gone on to a coding bootcamp, three have gone on to college computer courses and seven have been hired or are doing freelance work in the software field. In the past year, 51 adults have participated in Data Navigators and 47 teens have participated in Rhode Coders.