Neuse Regional Libraries receive funding to provide digital skills training
The American Library Association (ALA) has announced that Neuse Regional Libraries have been selected to participate in Libraries Lead with Digital Skills, an initiative of ALA and the Public Library Association (PLA), sponsored by Grow With Google, the tech company’s economic opportunity initiative. Neuse Regional Libraries will use the funding to support Grow Your Online Business with Google, a three-part series on developing an online business that will take place both in-person and via Zoom on March 15, 17, and 19 at 1:00 p.m.
“We are looking forward to this opportunity to provide our library users with some hands-on training with using Google tools to develop an online business,” said Justin Stout, Head of Reference. “The Grow With Google program has inspired some amazing programs across the country, and this funding will allow us to add our own program to list.”
“Grow With Google aligns perfectly with our Library’s strategic goals,” said Melanie Morgan, Director of Libraries. “Our major areas of focus are inspiring creativity, fostering learning, and engaging the community, and this program helps us pursue all of these objectives by providing a group setting for learning more about creating a business online.”
The three-part workshop will teach participants how to use Google tools to develop their business idea, do market research, find an online marketplace, market their business, create spreadsheets to track their expenses and inventory, and collect customer feedback. Participants will complete Google’s Build Your Own Online Business course with the assistance of a live instructor. Participants can attend in-person or virtually via Zoom; there are limited seats in person so if you are interested in reserving a seat please contact us at 252-527-7066, Ext. 134 as soon as possible. Social distancing will be observed. There is no limit on Zoom attendance but we ask that participants register to receive the meeting link.
“Libraries have long been America’s gathering place for learning. From learning new digital skills for the workplace, to creating a résumé or growing your business online, people are going to libraries as resources for professional growth now more than ever,” said Nicky Rigg, program manager for Digital Skills outreach at Google. “Grow with Google is excited to support library programs across the country to help ensure that economic opportunity exists for everyone.”
This program is funded by Libraries Lead with Digital Skills, which was created so that local libraries can combine their own program offerings with Grow with Google training materials to offer virtual community workshops or other activities aimed at empowering small businesses to grow online or assisting job seekers to prepare for and find work.
The Grow with Google initiative draws on Google’s 20-year history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow. Through this initiative, we aim to help everyone across America – those who make up the workforce of today and those who will drive the workforce of tomorrow – access the best of Google’s training and tools to grow their skills, careers, and businesses. Learn more at grow.google.
For more information on the workshop, please call 252-527-7066, Ext. 134 or email jnelson@neuselibrary.org.
