Muskingum County libraries are bridging the digital divide
By Desiré Correa
In a world where everything from job applications and medical records to school assignments have gone digital, the ability to navigate technology is no longer optional; it’s essential. However, for many in rural communities like Muskingum County, access to digital skills and training still lags.
According to a 2021 PEW research study, Americans in rural locations have lower levels of technology ownership compared to those living in urban and suburban areas.
To help close that gap, the Muskingum County Library System (MCLS) offers personalized technology help sessions at all six of its branches. The free program, now in its tenth year, has recently shifted focus from group sessions to one-on-one assistance to serve residents at varying skill levels better.
The list of services offered includes help with email, internet browsing, digital downloads, research databases, social media and tools such as virtual reality, drones and AI.
A lot of hesitation, a little bit of fear
“Come in, ask the questions,” said Kylie Bell, emerging technologies assistant at MCLS. “A lot of the hesitation we see with people is just a little bit of fear, a little bit of worry about not knowing things…There are two people in our county whose entire job is helping people with technology, all day, every day.”
Bell, a Muskingum County native and Zane State graduate, works directly with residents who seek help with everything from setting up smartphones to navigating online job applications. She sees firsthand how digital literacy can change lives.
“I love these success stories,” she said. “I've worked with a large number of people…but sometimes you'll meet people weekly, monthly and you don't see them for a bit, and then they come back and they're like, ‘Oh, I was able to get a job,’ or, ‘I am now able to freely read.’”
In one particularly moving case, Bell helped a visually impaired patron regain access to books after learning to navigate an iPad.
“She was slowly losing her vision,” Bell said. “To try and combat that, she got an iPad, but she wasn't really able to use it. We spent a couple months using it and we were able to get her to a point that she was able to navigate it and read again on her own. Just the joy in that is my favorite part.”
While technology access has increased nationwide, the digital divide still looms large in rural areas. According to the Pew Research Center, adults in rural communities are less likely to have high-speed internet or advanced digital skills than their urban counterparts. The U.S. Census Bureau has also reported persistent disparities in digital equity across states.
Sean Fennell, marketing and community relations director for MCLS, said the library system is working to change that locally by making digital literacy more inclusive and accessible.
“So, part of our job…is trying to make access to technology and digital literacy skills more equitable as well by bringing it into all of our branches so that it's not just that the main library has all the tech,” Fennell said.
Recent grants, including one from the Straker Foundation, have supported that effort. The grant provided a virtual reality headset and computer to enhance the system’s offerings.
“Since we've been doing this for quite a few years…we recognize it as a slow process, but it is a process that is meaningful and lasting…and impactful and we're able to offer some more classes on some more advanced technology coming up here as well,” Fennell said.
The Muskingum County Library System includes six locations, the John McIntire Library, New Concord Branch, Dresden Branch, Roseville Branch, Duncan Falls/Philo Branch and the South Branch. Each provides access to free tech help services, including one-on-one sessions, small group training, and presentations for classrooms, organizations, and businesses.
The library also offers access to Northstar Digital Literacy, a certification program that assesses essential skills such as basic computer use, internet navigation, and email proficiency. These are critical tools for those trying to enter the workforce, access healthcare or simply stay connected in an increasingly digital world.
Fennell believes one of the biggest challenges is meeting the needs of multiple generations in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Helping parents or grandparents with technology can be challenging—especially when it’s someone you’ve always looked up to and it’s hard to understand why they’re struggling, Fennell said. “What’s really nice about ours is that…you have really kind, really wonderful, really patient people who are able to kind of step in and help with a lot of that, because they’re trained, they’re specialized.”
Tressa Nicholson, a Muskingum County resident, appreciates the flexibility the library offers people her age but notes that some still face barriers.
“I think it would be beneficial to my age to go to the different libraries at different times,” Nicholson said. “But for older people like my parents who are in their 70s, it would be more beneficial for them for somebody to come to their house and help them at their house rather than them having to go to the library to help.”
Despite the obstacles, MCLS remains committed to its mission.
“Literally on the front of the John McIntire Library and stone, it says open to all, and we do live by that,” Fennell said. “The challenge is to have something for everyone… every generation, every type of person… you should always be able to find something that you love and something that you don't in a public library.”
He added that the people behind the programs are what truly make them special.
“We do have some really incredible staff members… we are inherently passionate about what we do, we care, we want to be there, we want to help, we want to make a difference,” he said. “Digital technology and digital literacy [are] something that people…have difficulty accessing.”
As the digital divide continues to separate those with access from those without, the Muskingum County Library System is working to expand digital equity through free, personalized tech support. By offering these services across its branches, the library aims to provide community members with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate an increasingly digital world.
For more information visit https://muskingumlibrary.org/find-it/techhelp/