Funding libraries to become hubs for digital skills development

LIVRESQ Digital Media Lab can be included in the I17 INVESTMENT project "Funding libraries to become hubs for digital skills development". The offer is fully in line with the Guidelines for Applicants for the project under COMPONENT 7 - Digital Transformation, Operation D - Digital Competences, Human Capital and Internet use.

In terms of eligibility of expenditure, according to the guidelines (page 21-22), the proposed solution falls into the recommended expenditure category (minimum 25%) and is part of chapter 4. Expenses for the purchase of services, licenses and software applications/programs/solutions.

With the LIVRESQ Digital Media Lab, a library will become a hub for digital skills development if it has at least one computer connected to the internet, and offers citizens the opportunity to create intellectual materials using resources such as computers/laptops, including serving as an audio and video editing tool. Thus, a space in the library will be designed to allow community members to experiment with technologies or activities that they could not previously access.

The Hub will inspire an interest in science, technology, design and lifelong learning for people in the library's surrounding community thanks to:

• Access to the LIVRESQ library (the space where courses and materials are available) where users will learn about technologies such as 3D printers and/or create their own courses on: sewing machines, gluing machines, coding machines, robotics and wood carving machines, and will be made available for free exploration/exploitation.
• Existence of training sessions for librarians and ordinary citizens in the use of LIVRESQ, thus ensuring that citizens are used and engaged in a meaningful way to create, explore and experiment with digital technologies and materials. All members of the community can get involved as local experts, facilitators and learners to create interactive materials - courses, IT materials, seminars, procedures, instructions (e.g.: the procedure for selective collection at local level, how to pay your tax, how to use a sewing machine, how to use a wood carving machine, etc.).

Some of the benefits of using LIVRESQ - Digital Media Lab:

• LIVRESQ contains a wide range of content creation tools;
  It can be used to create materials/courses in which citizens of all ages learn to use software and therefore can create educational materials/content to solve real problems;
• LIVRESQ-created materials held in the LIVRESQ Library can be delivered electronically, and can be an extension of the libraries' presence in areas where they could not traditionally reach;
• English, French, Hungarian and other language lessons can be accessed in the LIVRESQ library, serving the purpose of providing "Language learning services using digital media, such as audio books" and interactive e-learning;
• LIVRESQ will ensure closer coordination with local schools by offering a wide range of digital services - content creation and the possibility to access information/lessons - including Ministry of Education approved lessons, directly from the LIVRESQ Library;
• LIVRESQ enables the provision of opportunities for individuals to hone skills that are not typically available in the classroom or lecture room, through close collaboration with schools and teachers. Schools and teachers can create and use educational materials for any category of learners to upgrade skills.

LIVRESQ Digital Media Lab contributes to the project's aim of inspiring an interest in science, technology, design and lifelong learning for people in the library community.

In addition, with the help of LIVRESQ, the hubs will enable minorities, women, or people with disabilities to engage in technology and areas they may not have previously considered (creating educational content, interactive materials - in any language, aided by AI virtual assistants, able to turn text into audio (voice from text typed from a keyboard) in any language of international circulation.

If your institution is implementing or needs help to implement digital solutions for education, please contact us directly at contact@livresq.com or via the form here: https://livresq.com/ro/contact/