The Georgetown County Library System and Horry Telephone Cooperative (HTC) have partnered to create and an exciting series of programs on digital literacy for youth across Georgetown County. Beginning this month and continuing through December, “Power Up: Bridging the Digital Divide” will explore how learning digital skills and new technologies can directly enhance opportunities for improved health in Georgetown County.
The series will join with health organizations to increase awareness and usage of freely available medical information and to help reduce health disparities in our community. HTC will generously provide a $10,000 budget to be used for incentives, speakers, technology, equipment and other resources needed for the programs, which will be centered at the Carvers Bay Library branch, located at 13048 Choppee Road. The “Power Up” series will focus on reaching out to youth, particularly during the summer months of June and July. Thanks to the support of HTC, all programs will be free and open to youths ages 4 to 18.
During June and July, “Power Up: Bridging the Digital Divide” will educate Summer Reading Camp participants at the Carvers Bay Library on how to most effectively use the internet and current computer technology to find reliable health information online through MedlinePlus.gov and the National Network Library of Medicine (NNLM) websites. The goal is to make using the internet and tech fun and enjoyable for all participants. Because “Power Up” will be part of the library's Summer Reading Program, each participant is encouraged to read and check out books from the library and record these on a reading log given to them at the beginning of the program. Youths who participate in “Power Up” will learn how to use current tech to search and locate updated data on multiple health issues affecting Georgetown County residents, including: sugar diabetes; hypertension; kidney failure; obesity; teens with medical, mental and behavioral issues; peer pressure; reading and literacy struggles; and other significant health risks. “Power Up: Bridging the Digital Divide” will teach and train participating youths how to best use current tech to find credible and up-to-date medical information, while keeping this process fun and engaging.
“We are deeply grateful to HTC for their exceptional generosity and community spirit in providing funding to make this important program possible for youth in our area," said Georgetown County Library Director Dwight McInvaill. "HTC’s support will enhance tech skills among our community members in order to improve health and save lives. HTC Senior Marketing Coordinator Lisa Martin has been an ideal facilitator in building this fruitful partnership between HTC and the library system.”
McInvaill added that Carvers Bay Branch Manager Marilynn Lance-Robb has experience developing similar digital literacy training on health topics and resources for adults in collaboration with the National Library of Medicine. For more information, please contact Lance-Robb at mrobb@gtcounty.org or 843-545-3515.