Digital Learning Lab

Sawyer Free Library Now Recruiting Adult Participantsfor Free Computer Basics Course

~ Sawyer Free Library

Graduates receive a Chromebook and one year of home Internet service

The Sawyer Free Library is now accepting participants for its new Computer Basics Course, a free, hands-on program designed to help adults build essential digital skills for everyday life, work, and learning. The 15-hour, self-paced course, which runs through December 12, 2025, is delivered in the Library’s new Digital Learning Lab. Upon successful completion, qualified participants will receive a free Chromebook to keep and a hotspot with one year of Internet service. 

“Digital skills open doors—to jobs, to services, to staying connected with family,” said Library Director Jenny Benedict. “The Sawyer Free Library’s Digital Learning Lab team provides welcoming, one-on-one support so adults with little or no experience can learn at their own pace and celebrate every milestone.”

Participants will gain foundational skills that include setting up and using a computer and the Internet, navigating websites and applications, practicing online security and safety, and using communication tools such as email and video conferencing.

The Computer Basics Course will be held in the Digital Learning Lab on the ground floor of Sawyer Free Library, located at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. Drop-in training and practice hours are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The course is designed for adults with limited computer access or experience. Priority will be given to applicants who qualify for benefit programs and have a defined learning goal. Eligible programs include, but are not limited to, SNAP, TANF, WIC, TAFDC, EAEDC, MRVP, RAFT, LIHEAP, MassHealth/Medicaid, and SSI/SSDI.

Interested participants can contact the Digital Learning Lab Service Desk by phone at 978-325-5546, by email at computerbasics@sawyerfreelibrary.org or in person at the Library and asking for Roger or Joe.

Participants do not need to own a computer to enroll. A Chromebook will be provided for use during the course and may be taken home upon successful completion. In addition, a hotspot with a one-year Internet service plan will be included for eligible graduates.

“This is about access and confidence,” added Benedict. “With individualized coaching from our Digital Tutors and Librarians, adults can practice real-world tasks—safely setting up devices, applying for jobs, accessing health information, or connecting with loved ones online.”

The Sawyer Free Library’s Digital Learning Lab is a new community resource dedicated to digital inclusion—offering approachable training, devices, and support to help Gloucester residents thrive in an increasingly online world.  The Computer Basics Course is supported through a generous Digital Equity Initiative Partnership Grant from the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF).

Sawyer Free Library Launches Fall Internship Program for GHS Students

~ Sawyer Free Library

Information session about paid opportunity scheduled for Wednesday June 11

This fall, Sawyer Free Library is offering a new internship opportunity for Gloucester High School students in support of its innovative Digital Learning Lab. The Library is hiring student interns as Digital Tutors to assist with the inaugural Computer Basics Course, a community program designed to help adults gain essential digital skills.

Digital Tutors will serve as trusted guides, helping participants navigate internet use, computing devices, and common digital applications. The course includes 15 hours of self-paced, hands-on training. Qualified adult participants who complete the program will receive a free Chromebook and a one-year internet service plan.

“Student interns will gain valuable work experience while making a meaningful impact on closing Gloucester’s digital divide. “Students will be developing two sets of skills,” said Assistant Director Lisa Ryan. “They’ll build hard skills such as setting up and troubleshooting devices, using Google applications, navigating the internet safely, and practicing email and telecommunications best practices.”

“We’ll also focus on soft skills,” Ryan continued. “Through on-the-job experience and a weekly workshop, students will strengthen their communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving—skills that colleges and employers are increasingly prioritizing alongside technical knowledge.”

Interested students should send their application to jobs@gloucester-ma.gov or drop them off or mail them to Gloucester City Hall, 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930. References may be from a teacher, coach, employer, or guidance counselor—but not family or friends. The application deadline is June 18, 2025, with interviews scheduled between June 23 and 27.

Interns will complete paid training in early September. After training, they may work up to 16 hours per week through December 12, 2025, with shifts available on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoons, and Saturdays. Interns will be paid $18/hour, and those who complete at least 54 hours of tutoring may earn high school credit.

Students interested in pursuing careers in technology, education, psychology, social work, or digital literacy are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to juniors and seniors.

An information session will be held Wednesday, June 11 at 2:10 p.m. in the Guidance Conference Room at Gloucester High School.  For more information, contact Assistant Director Lisa Ryan at lryan@sawyerfreelibrary.org with your contact information, a brief summary of relevant experience and interest, and availability.

This first of its kind digital intern program at the Sawyer Free Library is funded through the generosity of an Essex County Community Foundation Digital Equity Partnership Grant.

Sawyer Free Library Receives $50,000 Grant from Essex County Community Foundation to Launch Digital Learning Lab and Inaugural Computer Basics Course

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library is pleased to announce that it has received a $50,000 Digital Equity Initiative Partnership Grant from the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF). The grant will support the launch of the Library’s 2025 Digital Learning Lab—Gloucester’s first educational space dedicated to inclusive digital learning—and the Library’s inaugural Computer Basics Course, which will provide 15 hours of hands-on technology training. In addition, qualified participants will receive a free device and a one-year Internet service plan.

The Sawyer Free Library is one of 13 grantees to receive a 2025 ECCF Digital Partnership Grant. These grants, which total $627,000 and encourage cross-sector collaborations, are part of Advancing Digital Equity, ECCF’s multi-year, $3 million commitment to empower all Essex County residents with the access, education and equipment necessary to successfully navigate today’s increasingly digital world.

In total, this group of grants represents more than 60 local community partnerships and will positively impact residents from 26 Essex County communities. The Library’s $50,000 ECCF grant is allocated as follows: $18,520 for furnishings and audiovisual teaching equipment for the Digital Learning Lab, and $32,480 for program expenses associated with the Computer Basics Course.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Essex County Community Foundation for this generous support,” said Jenny Benedict, Sawyer Free Library Director. “By helping us establish the Digital Learning Lab and our first- ever Computer Basics Course, ECCF has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring equitable access to technology for all Gloucester residents. This partnership will transform how our greater community learns, connects, and grows in a digital world.”

The Digital Learning Lab, slated to open early this Fall as part of the Sawyer Free Library’s major renovation and expansion, will be an 800-square-foot publicly accessible space on the Library’s ground floor. Furnished with an interactive teaching display, Chromebooks, and classroom seating for 20 participants, the Lab is designed to address critical barriers to digital equity, such as broadband access, device access, and digital literacy.

Beginning in September 2025, the Computer Basics Course will introduce up to 50 participants—divided into four cohorts—to fundamental digital skills, including basic computer operations, productivity software, online safety, and communication tools such as email and video conferencing. Upon completion of the 15- hour training and demonstration of proficiency, participants will receive a free Chromebook and one year of Internet service.

The course is open to anyone who qualifies by demonstrating need or by identifying an educational, workforce, or personal well-being goal. Community partners such as Open Door, Action Inc., the Senior Center, and Wellspring House will refer participants, helping ensure the project’s success. Additionally, the Council on Aging/Rose Baker Senior Center, Gloucester Housing Authority, and the Gloucester Health Department will play a vital role in reaching those who benefit from the program and ensuring they remain engaged.

This initiative also includes valuable professional development for local high school and college student interns, who will help deliver the program through small-group tutoring and one-on-one support. Internships will be promoted in partnership with Gloucester Public Schools, leveraging channels such as the student newspaper, The Gillnetter.

UMass Lowell, which has played a crucial role in advancing digital equity throughout the region, will support the Library’s new educational program by providing additional funding for computer. The university is also embarking on a new college student intern program and anticipates a placement at Sawyer Free Library for the delivery and evaluation phases of the Computer Basics Course. The intern will assist with instructional activities, assessment tools, program promotion, and participant recruitment.

The Sawyer Free Library is a leader in advancing digital equity in Gloucester through partnerships, programs, and initiatives that foster a sense of belonging, community building, and continuous learning. Currently operating from its temporary location at 21 Main Street and online at sawyerfreelibrary.org, the Library looks forward to its grand reopening later this year. The renovated, expanded, and modernized space will bolster the Library’s central role in delivering innovative resources and opportunities to Gloucester’s diverse community.

To learn more about Advancing Digital Equity, please visit eccf.org/digital-equity/.

Sawyer Free Library Receives $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant for new Digital Learning Lab

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a $50,000 Hometown Grant from T-Mobile. This generous grant will support the creation of the Digital Learning Lab, a cornerstone of the 2025 Sawyer Free Library transformation. The future focused space is designed to bridge the digital divide and equip the community with essential 21st-century skills.

The community is invited to join the celebration during the Middle Street Walk festivities. A ceremonial check presentation will be held on Saturday, December 14, at 12:00 p.m. in Kyrouz Auditorium immediately following The Cape Ann Big Band’s performance. All are welcome to attend!

T-Mobile’s Hometown Grant program is part of the company’s commitment to investing up to $25 million by 2026 in small towns and territories across America. These grants aim to create lasting impacts by supporting community-focused projects like Gloucester’s Digital Learning Lab.

Thanks to T-Mobile ‘s investment in Gloucester, the Sawyer Free Library is poised to continue serving as a beacon of learning and empowerment, ensuring all members of our community have access to the tools they need to succeed in our rapidly evolving world. The Library’s new Digital Learning Lab will offer:

  • Two audio recording studios
  • Four digital media creation, digitization, and collaborative workstations
  • A 12-seat classroom with an interactive teaching display

Spanning 800 square feet located on the ground floor, the Lab will be fully accessible, climate-controlled, and equipped with high-speed broadband internet and advanced technology. It is designed to support a wide range of users, from workforce development participants to budding entrepreneurs and independent innovators.

As part of the larger 2025 Sawyer Free Library renovation and expansion project, the Digital Learning Lab underscores the Library’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive learning environment for Gloucester’s residents.

Come one and come all this Saturday at City Hall at 12 noon and help us thank T-Mobile for their tremendous support of our incredible city!