Caerphilly Libraries Promise To Help Residents Get Online

Caerphilly borough libraries have joined the Digital Inclusion Charter due to the huge success of Digital Fridays, a free drop-in service that helps support residents to learn or improve their IT skills. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Set up in February 2016, the Digital Inclusion Charter helps promote organisations in Wales that support people to get online. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Charter includes six pledges which prove organisations commit to helping digitally excluded people – particularly those who are older, have a disability, unemployed or are living in poverty. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Lisa Thomas, Digital and E-Services Manager said, “As a library service we strive to support digital inclusion for all and through this programme we can further embed and raise awareness of this principle in our communities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

She continues, “Not only do we provide the online access through free internet provision but also have trained staff to assist customers in developing the skills to be internet savvy.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Ken James, cabinet member of regeneration, sustainable development and planning said, “It is great to see these services promoted and recognised for their hard work in providing communities with the skills to get online. With technology booming it has become imperative for people to become digitally savvy which is not easy for some. With the help of the libraries, throughout Caerphilly, and the volunteers this has been made possible and the council thanks them.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​