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/
APPLY TO BE A DIGITAL NAVIGATOR HERE
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.
***NEW for this cohort! Due to the limited number of spaces, we will prioritize new applicants. If you are a returning navigator, you are eligible for the MENTOR PROGRAM. Please see details below.
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.
About the Mentor Program:
Due to the limited seats in this cohort, we have an option available for returning navigators who would like to share their experience with new cohort members. Please use the DNHV application to note that you would like to be considered as a mentor.
Requirements for mentors:
- Assist with training or office hours (e.g. work as a leader for role-playing, share something you learned, or help explain best practices for filling out forms.)
- Meet one-on-one with a mentee to review the curriculum.
- Review the mentee’s forms before they submit them.
- Be available for email queries.
- Meet with at least three of your own clients and submit forms.
Upon successful completion of the mentor program, we will pay your institution $250.
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.
New applications will not be accepted beyond Friday, August 8 at 12pm EST. Participation is limited, and a complete application does not guarantee approval to the program.
APPLY TO BE A DIGITAL NAVIGATOR HERE
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
Sign up here to apply for Digital Navigators.
Want to know more? We recorded an Information Session on June 17, 2024 for the Summer Cohort with program details and a Q&A.
(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.