A great opportunity is coming your way from the Victorian Women’s Trust (VWT) new program Rural Women Online. Public Libraries Victoria welcomes this exciting opportunity for libraries to partner with VWT on this exciting program.
Rural Women Online will be launched in late May 2022 and aims to help rural women connect online by fast-tracking their access to training, support, and mentoring. There are 3 free program pillars that include a stand-alone website with 14 self-directed learning modules; a real time help desk to field email enquiries that empowers users and, a mentoring program that provides up to 30 hours of one-to-one support for up to 300 rural women.
A critical part of the project will involve 12 Open Days to share the program offering in different parts of Victoria, including four bushfire affected areas. They are Mildura, Swan Hill, Ballarat, Hamilton, Horsham, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Wonthaggi, Corryong, Myrtleford, Mallacoota, and Buchan-Bairnsdale.
Rural Women Online is seeking to partner with libraries wherever possible to present the Open Day sessions and there are library branches in each of the target locations.
Rural Women Online is a fully funded program and seeks libraries’ assistance and participation in the Open Days as well as disseminating information on Rural Women Online including marketing assets. Libraries can choose to hire out a room in the library or provide the space free of charge, depending on your budget.
The Open Day sessions provide an opportunity for libraries to connect with women in the community. Importantly, all IT equipment will be provided by Rural Women Online and, at the conclusion of the 12 Open Days, will then be distributed to sites where the open day sessions were held.
Rural Women Online would welcome library staff to participate in Open Days and reiterate the significant and innovative work that library staff do in the digital literacy space, continuing the development of digital pathways for on-going health and well-being of women in rural communities. For library staff, participation in the Open Days also provides an opportunity for professional development.
Tammy Atkins and Sue Gold are Rural Women’s Online Open Day producers and will be in touch with libraries in the target communities to discuss the Open Day session. If you wish to contact them directly, please contact Bronwyn Johnson for details on [email protected].
The Rural Women Online Open Days will engage women in the Rural Women Online program and activate their participation and build a constructive atmosphere leaving women feeling valued and enlivened by their participation.
There will be exciting promotions and guests at each Open Day and IT support will be provided on computer equipment and software on the day.
Read more about the Rural Women Online initiative here