Digital Navigators are trained, trusted guides who help with various technology needs. Navigators work in libraries and other community organizations. They assist anyone needing a device, secure free or low-cost internet service, and much more. This service is FREE! To learn more about the work of Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley, you can view our website here.
Digital Navigators are now meeting with clients. Find your closest Navigator here: https://hvconnected.org/directory/
Who: Applications are open to individuals who work at libraries and nonprofit organizations in the following counties: Columbia, Greene, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester. You must be currently employed or have regular volunteer hours and have the support of your institution.
What: Digital Navigators will train with staff from National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) and staff from Southeastern NY Library Resources Council, Ramapo Catskill Library System, Mid-Hudson Library System, and Westchester Library System. This training will focus on the digital inclusion ecosystem and the fundamentals of providing technical assistance to clients. We will provide updates on current programs, services, and resources to support a robust Digital Navigator program within your organization. Once trained, Navigators will meet with clients and provide data on those interactions via intake and exit forms. We will meet twice a month as a group and maintain an active listserv.
Navigators who meet the requirements by the deadline will receive a $500 investment incentive that is payable to their organization.
Where: All meetings and training sessions will be held online via Zoom.
When: This cohort will meet at the following times:
Tuesday, August 12: 10:00 am – 11:30 am (training)
Wednesday, August 13: 10:00 am – 11:30 am (training)
Thursday, August 14: 10:00 am – 11:30 am (training)
Thursday, August 28: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (Office Hours)
Thursday, September 11: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (Office Hours)
Thursday, September 25: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (Office Hours)
Thursday, October 9: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (Office Hours)
Thursday, October 23: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Professional Development)
Thursday, November 13: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (Office Hours)
Requirements:
- Watch a pre-recorded introductory video (one hour)
- Attend the three live training sessions.*
- Attend all the office hour meetings.*
- Meet with at least five unique clients and complete an intake and exit form for each client.
- Engage with the listserv at least once by asking or answering a question or sharing an anecdote.
* We understand that things come up! If you have an unavoidable conflict on a training session or office hours date, we will ask you to make up the work by watching a recording or reading the notes.
Additionally, Navigators will do ONE of the following:
- Demonstrate using promotional materials with “Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley” – either a press release, event, newsletter, or social media posting.
- Coordinate with an organization outside of yours to promote the Digital Navigator service.
- Coordinate with Southeastern, MHLS, RCLS, or WLS to meet with an elected official to talk about Digital Navigators.
- Represent Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley at NYLA, Net Inclusion, ALA, or another related trade conference.
- Attend an in-person event if we host one for Digital Navigators
All participants in the program will receive 5 hours of CE credit for the training sessions and a certification of completion at the end of the session.
Qualities of Successful Digital Navigators
You don’t need to be a tech expert! But you do need:
- The ability to embrace the challenge of learning and teaching basic technological concepts related to internet services, computer and device characteristics, and common online services and applications.
- Excellent self-organization, language capacity, and cultural competency.
- Excellent telephone and online communication skills, including the ability to establish trust with clients of varied educational and cultural backgrounds.
- The ability to demonstrate a positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and a sense of humor in working with diverse customers, coworkers, and the community.
- The ability to creatively solve problems, and negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner.
- The ability to provide excellent customer service, establish appropriate boundaries with clients, and demonstrate innovation and flexibility.
If you are a current Digital Navigator, you can access your resources here: Digital Navigators Guidebook (password required for page access)
Questions? Contact:
Carolyn Bennett Glauda, Southeastern NY Library Resources Council
Meaghan Doyle, Ramapo Catskill Library System, meaghan@rcls.org
Kerstin Cruger, Mid-Hudson Library System, kcruger@midhudson.org
Linda Smith, Westchester Library System, lsmith@wlsmail.org
The August 2025 cohort is underway now, and applications are closed. note: there will be two additional cohorts. One in December 2025, and one in April 2026.
Funding for this program has been provided in part by the financial support of Southeastern NY Library Resources Council, Ramapo Catskill Library System, Mid-Hudson Library System, and Westchester Library System.