More than 40 summer jobs for low-income, tech-savvy teens around the state are open at their local libraries, which are looking for teens for new grant-funded summer positions as "digital literary coaches" - teachers of basic computer skills to library patrons; the participating libraries each have one or two positions. “The unemployment rate for Idaho teenagers last year was over 20 percent,” library commission spokeswoman Teresa Lipus said. “These jobs offer a helping hand to young people, especially those from low-income homes, while at the same time help Idahoans from all walks of life navigate the computer world.”

The jobs, which pay minimum wage, are for those age 16-21; more than 70 percent of Idaho's libraries are the only free source of Internet access in their communities. Click below for more info in the full announcement from the Commission for Libraries and the Idaho Department of Labor.

NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release: April 17, 2012

 

Libraries Hold Summer Job Opportunities for Digital Literacy Coaches 

 

Nearly 30 Idaho libraries have summer job opportunities available for students and other young people to teach library patrons basic computer skills as digital literacy coaches.

These digital literacy coaches are paid from Idaho Department of Labor Workforce Investment Act funds and a federal Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant awarded to the Idaho Commission for Libraries.

“The unemployment rate for Idaho teenagers last year was over 20 percent,” library commission spokeswoman Teresa Lipus said. “These jobs offer a helping hand to young people, especially those from low-income homes, while at the same time help Idahoans from all walks of life navigate the computer world.”

The digital literacy coaching program is open to students and other young people ages 16-21 and is targeted at participants from low-income families. In addition to earning the minimum wage, students learn workplace skills like punctuality, initiative and strategies for developing good relationships with coworkers.

Over 70 percent of Idaho’s public libraries serve as the only free source of Internet access in their communities. Fifty-five of Idaho’s least connected libraries are participating in the Idaho Commission for Libraries' two-year "online @ your library" project, which includes computer upgrades, faster access to the Internet and online resources, free access to job skills training and adult basic education and informal learning resources for children. 

Students interested in summer employment opportunities or serving as a digital literacy coach should contact their local Idaho Department of Labor Workforce Investment Act youth coordinator. A directory of local offices can be found on the upper right hand corner of Labor’s website at labor.idaho.gov.

Librarians interested in hosting a digital literacy coach should contact the Idaho Commission for Libraries at (208) 334-2150.

Bob Fick | Communications Manager
Communications & Research
Idaho Department of Labor

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