Library selected to participate in statewide digital literacy certification program

The New Jersey State Library announced that the Atlantic City Free Public Library has been selected to participate in its Hub & Spoke Libraries pilot project, a statewide effort that will provide uniform digital literacy training and credentialing for adult residents at 14 public libraries across the state. Through a competitive grant process, the State Library selected three hub libraries that will serve as regionally-based training labs, and 11 spoke libraries that will provide additional digital literacy support. The Atlantic City Free Public Library will participate in the program as a hub library. Services will begin being offered to the public at the Atlantic City Library in April.

The project aims to create a standardized and replicable library-based digital literacy certification program to assist New Jersey’s workforce. Participants will visit on-site training labs, with certified trainers offering digital literacy workshops and other workforce-related services. The Atlantic City Free Public Library will connect with its local Workforce Development Board and One-Stop Career Center, as well as other libraries in the area, to create a referral and sending system that accounts for client intake, record keeping and data sharing. Participants will have access to free, high quality training materials, videos, classroom aides, and mini lessons.

“This project has allowed the library to expand its services by constructing a second computer lab with 16 computers,” Atlantic City Library Director Robert Rynkiewicz said.

“We are proud to partner with the Atlantic City Free Public Library in this effort to build a cohesive system for digital literacy training and credentialing for New Jersey’s workforce,” said Jen Nelson, New Jersey State Librarian. “Currently, these services are non-standardized, and offered through a decentralized patchwork of disparate service providers. We hope that this library-based model will be replicated throughout New Jersey, and beyond.”

The program will be facilitated by the Plainfield Public Library (PPL), and will model PPL’s proven system for providing literacy programming. This project was made possible through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds made available to the New Jersey State Library through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). For more information about the Hub & Spoke Libraries pilot project, visit: www.njstatelib.org/ARPALiteracyProject. To learn more about services available at the Atlantic City Free Public Library, contact Nathan Munoz at (609) 345-2269, ext. 3016 or nmunoz(at)acfpl.org.

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About the New Jersey State Library
The New Jersey State Library (NJSL), an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University (TESU), connects people with information and resources through its service to libraries, state government, TESU staff and students, and NJ residents, including those with special needs. NJSL provides support for public, school, academic, and special libraries, and continues to promote services for learners of all ages, including key areas of continuing need such as digital literacy, business outreach, workforce development, summer reading programs, and services for the visually and physically impaired, among others. For more information, visit www.njstatelib.org.