iSchool Capstone

Digital Literacy in Libraries

Project tags:

community engagement & outreach

equity & inclusion

information literacy

In 2021, the Washington State Library (WSL) purchased Northstar, a program that teaches digital literacy skills. The WSL provides Northstar to libraries and community-based organizations, but the COVID-19 pandemic created constraints around library programming and partnership development. Washington communities need access to this training, but libraries have had limited capacity to provide it. This project streamlines the process of launching Northstar for libraries by providing resources for staff and materials for patron outreach. By creating this infrastructure, we’ve made it easier for patrons to gain access to these essential skills and helped to close the digital divide in Washington state.

Project participants:

Madeline Fox

MLIS

Conrad Schaffer Vignati

MLIS