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| Map showing Internet access points in Lewisham 2003 |
Lewisham Libraries have always supported Lewisham residents to become informed, empowered digital citizens in a variety of ways: serving as a digital friend, providing mentors, training,
and equipment for free or at a low cost.
We have coding clubs, technology events and a good collection of quality information resources to help residents inform themselves.
We also work closely with local organisations, local charities as well as national organisations such as the Good Things Foundation; to provide resources to community members which they otherwise may not be able to afford.
and equipment for free or at a low cost.
We have coding clubs, technology events and a good collection of quality information resources to help residents inform themselves.
We also work closely with local organisations, local charities as well as national organisations such as the Good Things Foundation; to provide resources to community members which they otherwise may not be able to afford.
Mi WiFi Project
It is aimed at people who are over 55, part of a community group or getting certain benefits. This is a pilot project running until January 2018.
The project is now lending 70 iPads to Lewisham residents to help them get online.
There are a range of apps preloaded onto the tablets – including ones for tracking and monitoring use. Along with many familiar apps people would expect– Skype, BBC, Adobe - we’ve also preloaded some of our library apps: for example Zinio for Libraries(Now RB Digital), a special edition for reading digital magazines from your local library, Overdrive (for library ebooks and audiobooks)Press Displayand our Online Reference Library.
We’ve also written a number of guides(located in the iBooks app)on how to use the preinstalled apps.
By borrowing a tablet and taking part in the training, Participants may learn a host of digital skills.
Other Initiatives
Code Clubs
Code Club is a nationwide network of after school coding clubs for children aged 8 – 12 years old. Using specially created Code Club materials, the sessions are designed to build confidence and encourage creativity in 3 different coding languages. Each term has 12 projects for the children to work through, or you can work on your own project with the guidance of our volunteers.
We run coding clubs in Lewisham and Sydenham.
These clubs teach children how to code in 3 different coding languages: Scratch, HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and Python.
Using these languages they can create a variety of projects from simple to more complex ones as they gain experience.
We run coding clubs in Lewisham and Sydenham.
These clubs teach children how to code in 3 different coding languages: Scratch, HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and Python.
Using these languages they can create a variety of projects from simple to more complex ones as they gain experience.
Hothouse
With funding from Arts Council England we delivered the cultural project "Hothouse" which is based in the Library branch in Deptford Lounge. It is run in partnership with The Albany, South-East London’s leading arts centre. Its aim is to co-create a programme of high quality events and participatory arts with visitors, local artists and residents groups creating a shared approach supporting as a one-stop-shop for cultural and civic engagement. The program has been a great success and attendance and satisfaction ratings are high. There are some programmes set to continue beyond the initial project
Digital Sessions
Many of our branches offer help with any digital issues you may be facing: such as transferring photos from one device to another, giving guidance about keeping safe online and explaining how Wifi works.Lewisham has had a history of successfully delivering collaborative projects which are of benefit to the community. Libraries have hosted a number of training programmes tailored to people with sight and hearing loss. We have also provided: Digital Skills Swap, sessions on using social media in business, training on cyber security, robotics, coding and data protection.We have worked with multiple partners including the Lewisham Disability Coalition, MyCompleteFocus, Age UK Lewisham & Southwark, Rushley Green Time Bank RNIB, JobCentre Plus, Voluntary Action Lewisham, the Stroke Association, disability groups, faith groups and wider community groups. We have also work with commercial partners such as Lloyds Bank and other local organisations.
UK Online Centres
Lewisham Libraries have been continuously delivering basic digital skills training since 1996. To further this offer and offer users a wider range of training we applied for funding from UK-Online Centres in 2009 which we won and used to purchase new hardware.
The Web Works for Me
We were also part of the MLA funded project "The Web Works for Me" where over 113 people engaged on the course through 14 lessons, many of whom then went on to join our regular training to further develop their skills.
Lewisham Young Mayor Programme and Young Citizens’ Panel
We also work with the Young Mayor Programme and Young Citizens’ Panel which began in 2004, has become the longest-running programme of its kind in the UK.This program offers hundreds of young people living,working or studying in Lewisham the opportunity to have their say on how decisions should be made and how money should be spent in Lewisham. This year the election of the Young Mayor drew 7,000 young people to vote, and regularly draws a voter turnout of 40% of eligible voters.Ongoing Initiatives
Digital Collections
We subscribe to over 30 databases which allow residents to access quality resources for free, locally which would otherwise be prohibitively expensive and time consuming to obtain.
These include family history databases, historical newspapers, academic papers, reference textbooks including encyclopaedias and dictionaries on a wide range of topics including history, science, technology, math and the arts.
These include family history databases, historical newspapers, academic papers, reference textbooks including encyclopaedias and dictionaries on a wide range of topics including history, science, technology, math and the arts.
Digital Books
We have over 70,000 ebooks including eAudio, comics and magazines. You can access these by downloading the apps OverDrive and BorrowBox which and signing in with your Lewisham Library card.
We have a wide range of digital books, including bestsellers, Book Award winners, family history reference, classic books, and much more.
We have a wide range of digital books, including bestsellers, Book Award winners, family history reference, classic books, and much more.
Home Library Service
We give assistance to for Lewisham Libraries’ Home Library users.
We hand select books based on their interest and deliver a range of items including CDs, DVDs and Jigsaw Puzzles.
We hand select books based on their interest and deliver a range of items including CDs, DVDs and Jigsaw Puzzles.
Page last updated 25 June 2021
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