Digital Bridges program impacting libraries

The Carteret County Public Library System is providing a prime example of how East Carolina University’s College of Health and Human Performance is impacting the region.

A story posted on CoastalReview.org, a news service of the Coastal Carolina Federation, detailed a successful partnership that stems from the $1.39 million in funding ECU received for a collaborative project that improves access to digital technology and literacy, resources and skills training for residents in 29 eastern North Carolina counties.

“We are excited to bring the Digital Bridges program to Carteret County,” Carteret County Public Library System director Dorothy Howell said in the story posted Nov. 19. “This initiative will help ensure that our community members have the technology and skills needed to participate fully in the digital world — from connecting with family and friends to accessing critical health resources.”

The partnership enables library patrons to borrow iPads and Wi-Fi hotspots for free. The Carteret County system also is proud that patrons have access to in-person digital literacy training, designed to improve their ability to use technology confidently in their daily lives.

This project was funded by the State Office of Digital Equity and Literacy and is led by Dr. Leslie Cofie, principal investigator and assistant professor of health education and promotion, and Dr. Alice Richman, co-principal investigator and professor of health education and promotion. ECU Health and Laupus Health Sciences Library also are partners.

“We know access to digital technology and digital literacy is so important because it affects every aspect of our lives,” Cofie said in a 2023 story by ECU News Services. “We are trying to target communities that can benefit from these types of resources.”