Jaffrey Public Library has been awarded a $4,000 grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, made possible by gifts from the Bernice Clay Fund for Lifelong Learning. The grant will help further the library’s mission of lifelong learning by supporting a new program called Project Grandparent, which will provide learning technology support to grandparent caregivers who have stepped into the role of caregiver/educator for their grandchildren.
Project Grandparent will take a multifaceted approach to address the needs being presented by local grandparent caregivers, including the need to come up a technology learning curve in a reasonable and responsible way while also addressing concerns for internet safety, the understanding of parental controls and the limitations of the technology and internet access available at home, especially in rural areas where broadband availability is limited.
This funding for Project Grandparent will provide a fleet of 20 Launchpads for checkout at the library. Launchpads are preloaded learning tablets with vetted content for children such as learning games and interactive educational content that does not require downloading or internet access. They are safe and secure, and can be used anywhere, any time. Because they do not require internet, Launchpads are accessible for everyone.
Additionally, Project Grandparent will provide in-person workshop sessions, led by library staff, for grandparent caregivers on technology topics and educational resources, tailored to meet their needs. These workshop sessions will be included as part of the Winter Learning program, for the winter and early spring months of 2022.
“We have always had grandparent caregivers, but with the impact of COVID on education and employment, the number has risen dramatically, both as full-time caregivers and as child care support to working parents. We have many grandparents who come to the library both with their grandchildren and to check out our STEAM kits (STEAM programming and books in a take-home backpack) for their grandchildren to use at home. Grandparent caregivers attended nearly all of our in-person programs last summer, and this fall, they have continued to use the library in that caregiver role,” stated Library Director Julie Perrin. “Grandparents have been quiet heroes throughout the pandemic, stepping into unfamiliar territory fearlessly to support their families in caregiving roles. We are very excited to be able to provide them with the learning support and tools they need.”
For information on Project Grandparent, call Perrin at 603-532-7301.
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is New Hampshire’s statewide community foundation, founded in 1962. The foundation manages a collection of 2,000 funds created by individuals, families and businesses, and awards more than $50 million in grants and scholarships every year. The foundation works with citizens to maximize the power of their giving, supports work happening in communities and leads and collaborates on high-impact initiatives. For information, visit nhcf.org or call 603-225-6641.