Chinook Arch Regional Library singled out for excellence in digital literacy with Punch Jackson Award

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on June 24, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Chinook Arch Regional Library has been awarded the Punch Jackson Award of Excellence for its digital literacy program.
The award recognizes excellence in service, program, or public relations/advocacy achievement in library service in Alberta.
Chinook Arch offered digital literacy training through member libraries in rural communities between March 2019 and March 2022.
“Digital equity was the initial focus of the program, with in-person classes designed to increase rural Albertan’s participation in the digital economy,” explained Lisa Weekes, associate director for Chinook Arch, in a release.
She said the program moved to an online format in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but that resulted in the development of participant packs for distribution to class participants through their libraries.
Weekes said the packs allowed additional coverage of social and wellness topics including seniors’ isolation and wellbeing, cyber scams, and youth digital citizenship.
2,022 information packs were distributed for independent/at-home learners.
“This multi-pronged delivery method was so successful we see it as a path forward in future program development,” said Weekes.
The project was funded by the Digital Literacy Exchange Program (DLEP) through Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada.

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