Scheme to support older people

Older people can now avail of remote tutoring sessions online or over the phone.

Cork County Council’s Library and Arts Services has rolled out the Age Friendly Libraries Digital Ambassadors Programme which was launched recently by Mary Butler, Minister of State in the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People.

The programme will see digital ambassadors deliver remote tutoring sessions to older people, either online or over the phone, to help them join and engage with the library’s online services.

The scheme, developed in partnership between Age Friendly Ireland and Libraries Ireland, aims to support older people in accessing the wealth of online library resources, such e-newspapers, e-magazines, e-books, audiobooks, podcasts and many more learning resources.

The programme will also facilitate older people to participate in online activities such as classes, meetings and book clubs, enabling continuous community participation from home.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley welcomed news of the programme and said: “Libraries play a vital role for communities in county Cork, providing a public space, freely accessible, in which people of all ages can relax, learn and grow. Although physical access is restricted, it has never been more important for our library service to be accessible.

“I am immensely proud of the work that Cork County Council’s library staff have done in removing barriers to accessibility, particularly over the past twelve months. This latest programme of digital ambassadors is a welcome, and hugely important addition to connect older people with their library, while also enhancing their digital skills.”