WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
16 UCW SEPTEMBER 6 - 12, 2023
AMBER LITTLE, Staff Writer.
COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com.
910-484-6200
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – e
Cumberland County Public Library
received $1,500 in grant funds from
the Public Library Association this
year to conduct workshops using
the new DigitalLearn Affordable
Connectivity Program (ACP) Basics
training materials, developed in
collaboration with AT&T.
e CCPL is among 50 public
libraries nationwide to be awarded
this funding. Library staff members
will use the funds to present
workshops at several of the library's
eight locations and promote the
program in local media.
e Public Library Association
Affordable Connectivity Program
Basics Workshop Incentive, supported
by AT&T, enables libraries to conduct
the workshops that help families and
households learn about the ACP.
e ACP, from the Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC) helps families and households
with affordable internet service. In
collaboration with AT&T, the PLA
developed the ACP Basics digital
course and workshop materials to
help families and households identify
the information they need to apply
for the program, how to apply for the
program, and how to use the benefit.
According to 2021 U.S. Census
figures, 13% of Cumberland County
households are without a broadband
connection, and estimates are that
most of those households qualify for
the ACP.
"Connectivity to reliable, affordable
internet is critical for access to many
services and information," said Library
Director Faith Phillips. "We are excited
to continue to bridge the digital
divide in our community."
e Affordable Connectivity
Program Basics course and more
digital literacy resources are freely
available in English and Spanish
through AT&T ScreenReady and PLA's
DigitalLearn.org. Digital Navigators
at CCPL will help attendees use
these resources in several upcoming
workshops. Dates and locations for
the workshops will be announced in
September.
e Public Library Association was
founded in 1944 and is the largest
association dedicated to supporting
the unique and evolving needs of
public library professionals.
AT&T launched AT&T Connected
Learning as part of a companywide
$2 billion commitment from 2021
– 2023 to address the digital divide.
AT&T Connected Learning invests in
connectivity and technology, digital
literacy and education solutions.
For more information about the
Cumberland County Library, visit
the website at cumberlandcountync.
gov/library and follow them on social
media.
Book Black Women Presents Trap N Paint
by AMBER LITTLE
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