‘Connect With Digital World’ at Upper St. Clair library
Now that the 21st century has progressed to the point where most 2018 high school graduates were born after the 1900s wrapped up, you might think everyone has become acclimated to such activities as using email.
That’s not necessarily the case, and even if folks know the fundamentals, more advanced aspects may have them stumped.
“Sometimes people come in with a problem in that: How do I get this attachment downloaded?” Upper St. Clair Township Library director Helen Palascak said. “They can do a basic email back and forth, but when it comes to forwarding it to someone or printing attachments, sometimes it’s very tricky for people to learn how to do that.”
The library’s free “Connect With the Digital World” program is ready to bring them up to speed.
“Every day, we have a time when there’s a librarian available to sit one-on-one with someone,” Palascak said about the program, which is conducted Monday through Friday. “We will spend time with people and go through whatever it is they’re having trouble learning.”
Along with email, some of the topics covered include learning how to search for and download library eBooks, the basics of using iPads and other tablets, filling out online forms, and creating and saving word processing and spreadsheet documents.
The service is provided in conjunction with PA Forward, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Library Association designed to “refocus and reinforce the ways in which libraries can support Pennsylvanians in leading successful, productive lives.” The initiative works within the context of what it defines as five essential literacies: basic, along with those related to information and technology, civic and social issues, health and finances.
“These are all things that libraries have been doing for many, many years,” Palascak explained. “It helps illustrate to all of our patrons, and also to all of our funders, the important work that’s being done here.”
Upper St. Clair has offered several related programs for young people, as well, including representatives of Brentwood Bank and First Commonwealth discussing how to handle money. And Walker Evans, programs and outreach services librarian, even conducted a session addressing how to recognize “fake news.”
Sept. 1 marks the start of “Love Your Library” month, with the Jack Buncher Foundation providing $150,000 in matching funds to Allegheny County libraries. Last year’s donations during September topped $500,000, Palascak said, and the hope is to increase the figure for 2018.
At her library, which receives substantial funding annually from the township, she encourages continuing patron support.
“If you really love us and want to show that, if you make a donation of $25 or more, we have some really cool free gifts that we’re going to let people choose from,” she said, including one involving the library’s three-dimensional printer:
“You could have your grandchild, or your mother or your grandmother, sit to have a 3-D ‘selfie’ made. We thought that would be a fun prize for someone who donates.”
Upper St. Clair Township Library offers “Connect With the Digital World” at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday, 3 p.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday, 3 and 7 p.m. Thursday, and 10 a.m. Friday. For more information, call 412-835-5540.