Digital Navigators
About the Program
The free, virtual, bilingual (English & Spanish) Connected California Digital Navigators service helps Californians:
- access free and low-cost internet and devices
- grow digital skills
- discover library and community resources
of community members helped in Spanish
tickets to date, connecting community members with with internet, devices, and digital skills
library jurisdictions actively sharing this service, along with community partners
of community members saw significant improvement, from no or very limited skills to proficiency, after being assisted by Digital Navigators
Why Digital Navigators?
Public libraries are key stakeholders in digital equity and inclusion efforts to ensure that everyone can fully participate in society, the economy, and democracy. This service leverages the connections that libraries have with their patrons and community organizations, extends the reach of the library, compliments the digital skills training already occurring in libraries, and helps provide an essential service to the community.
Currently, 1 in 5 Californians do not have broadband services and only about 40% of eligible California households are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program. This program supports California Broadband for All and State Digital Equity initiatives, which note that having the internet is critical to getting a better education, landing a job, accessing healthcare and essential services and increasing civic participation. Digital Navigators help with internet, devices, and skills – essential elements of digital equity and opportunity for all Californians.
The core tenets of the Digital Navigators program, reinforced by the training curriculum, are the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. This ensures that Navigators have the cultural competence to provide relevant support for California’s diverse communities.
This service is provided to California public libraries at no cost, with no application, and no reporting requirements. The Connected California Digital Navigators project is in partnership with the Southern California Library Cooperative.
Community Members
If you are a California community member looking for Digital Navigator services, please visit ConnectedCA.org.
Many California public libraries offer services and programs to support digital literacy and equity. Find your local library.
California’s Broadband for All initiative has partnered with EveryoneOn and the California Emerging Technology fund to help community members find:
- Low-cost internet service
- Computer offers
- Digital skills training (like computer and internet basics)
Program Timeline
The Digital Navigators program includes five phases:
- Phase One (November 2021 – March 2022) Piloted Digital Navigators with select public libraries.
- Phase Two (April – May 2022) Trained Navigators and developed procedures.
- Phase Three (May – August 2022) Piloted the Digital Navigators program to the communities served by the pilot libraries.
- Phase Four (September 2022 – May 2024) Expansion of the program to additional library systems in California and engagement with statewide and local partners.
- Phase Five (June – July 2024) Project concludes; best practices and resources to be updated on this page.
Digital Navigators and Your Library
An information session was held on July 18, 2023 for all California libraries and literacy staff to learn how the Connected California Digital Navigators service helps libraries and communities. California library staff may register for an account and view the recorded session on CALL Academy.
The information session covered:
- What the Digital Navigators service does, including connecting patrons to the internet, getting them devices, and helping them learn to navigate the digital world
- How staff can refer patrons
- How this free service can help your library, your patrons, and can amplify your digital equity efforts
Resources for Public Libraries
- Digital Navigator Model from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance.
- Digital Equity Toolkit from Urban Libraries Council.
- Get involved and stay up to date on the California State Digital Equity Plan.
- The Home Connectivity Kit page provides general guidance, research, and resources for supporting or implementing a Home Connectivity Kit, or similar device lending program, in your community.
Contact
Email: DigNavs@library.ca.gov