“Cobb libraries are very intentional – and tireless – in our efforts to push through ‘digital divide’ barriers of broadband access and to support families in becoming confident about their digital skills,” Ball said. “I’m proud to work with the Public Library Association and my Cobb library colleagues to create essential and meaningful impact for the entire Cobb community.”

Cobb County Public Library has been selected to receive grants to assist families and communities in expanding broadband adoption and improving digital skills.

The Public Library Association (PLA) recently announced a contribution from AT&T for Phase II of the PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentives which allowed PLA to select more than 200 public libraries across 45 states to host digital literacy workshops. PLA also selected 50 libraries for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) workshops program to promote broadband adoption. ACP provides eligible households up to $30 off internet or wireless service for qualifying families and provides discounts to of up to $100 for equipment, including laptops, tablets and computers. The workshops leverage online digital literacy courses, created by PLA in collaboration with AT&T, that are available free of charge to anyone through DigitalLearn.org and AT&T.

“Public libraries continuously play a vital role in providing digital literacy tools and information to their communities,” said 2022-2023 PLA President Maria McCauley. “The expansion of this powerful collaboration with AT&T for the second year will ensure that even more families and communities can benefit from programs and resources that increase digital access and equity.”

Stratton Library Manager Patricia Ball is leading this initiative for Cobb County. The Digital Literacy grant of $6,000 for CCPL will allow workshops to be conducted at the Stratton, Switzer, South Cobb and North Cobb libraries in August through December. CCPL received a Digital Literacy grant in 2022, the first year of the initiative.

The ACP grant of $1,500 supports training for Cobb librarians to lead the ACP workshops for educating families on how to apply for the ACP benefit. About one percent of the libraries receiving this year’s round of incentive grants are receiving both.

“Cobb libraries are very intentional – and tireless – in our efforts to push through ‘digital divide’ barriers of broadband access and to support families in becoming confident about their digital skills,” Ball said. “I’m proud to work with the Public Library Association and my Cobb library colleagues to create essential and meaningful impact for the entire Cobb community.”