Free Services Available at Two Bath Housing Sites
BATH—The Patten Free Library and Bath Housing have teamed up to help Seacliff and
Moorings residents master their smart phones, computers and tablets with a free
assistance progr
am. Once a month, Roberta Jordan, Assistant Director of the PFL, meets
with clients on-site. The program has been in a test run since March, and will continue
and likely expand.
“It’s the small things that make a big difference,” said Jordan, who assists with basic
issues such as navigation, resetting devices and recovering passwords. She also helps
clients sign up for the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which gives residents
discounted, flat rate Internet services through Comcast and other providers.
“This is a logical extension of our ‘Book A Librarian’ program, where people can make
an appointment to get help with iPads, phones, etc.,” Jordan said. “This new program is
meant to help those who can’t get to the Library easily for an appointment. It also
complements our new ‘Homebound Delivery Service’ for patrons who want to get
materials delivered to them.”
The PFL has also been developing a relationship with Age-Friendly Communities of the
Lower Kennebec to promote their free digital tablet program, and with the National
Digital Equity Center to provide digital literacy classes at the PFL and potentially on-site
at Bath Housing sites.
Jordan is currently the only person staffing the program, but that could change if
demand for the service continues to rise and a crew of regular volunteers are vetted and
trained.
“It’s been a wonderful experience so far. I don’t have high-level technology skills, but
there are some pretty basic tasks I can help people with that are often incredibly helpful
and freeing,” Jordan said. “We are delighted to work with Bath Housing to offer this
service.”
Some Bath Housing residents getting educated on the digital world