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  • Karin Dalzielnirak@hcommons.social
    Oct 23, 2026, 4:48 PM

    Thanks to @jessamyn 's excellent posts, I have seen several people express interest in starting a library tech drop in at their local library, which is a fantastic idea. Libraries are all about people helping people! I wanted to share a thread with a few tips for people looking to start a meetup/help group at their library.

    First, check to make sure a thing like that doesn't already exist - and if it does, don't think "they have it covered" - go help! Programs like this always need more people. If they do have one already, think about how you might help get the word out, it's so hard to get the message out about these things to people who need them. (1/4)

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  • Karin Dalzielnirak@hcommons.social
    Oct 23, 2026, 4:49 PM

    If a group doesn't exist, the next step is to think about what you are able to do, and then go talk to someone at the library. I would advise starting pretty small - 2-3 weekly or monthly drop in meetings. Committing yourself to a grand plan right away is a recipe for burnout, in my experience. Can you grab anyone to help you? Or even just sit with you during drop in times? What days might work for you? Think through this stuff before you head to ask the library how they might help. Check the library's web page too to check up on how renting space works. That said, just sitting at a table in the library can work too. (2/4)

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  • Karin Dalzielnirak@hcommons.social
    Oct 23, 2026, 4:49 PM

    Next up, ask the library. You might put everything in an email and ask if you can drop by sometime to talk to someone, or call, or drop by in person. If you call or go in person, have a quick intro sentence and then ask "is there a good person to talk to about this?" Often the person who is sitting at the desk might not be the person in charge of programming/scheduling. Something like "I would be interested in finding space in the library to help folks with technology, is there a good person to talk to about this?"

    Like all publicly funded things, libraries are stretched incredibly thin right now, so don't be surprised if you need to make an appointment or are directed to a form to fill out. They're doing the best they can! It may also be that you get a curt "we don't do that here" (I don't expect this, but you never know when you'll catch someone on a bad day). You can explain that you are not asking for staffing, just space. (3/4)

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  • Karin Dalzielnirak@hcommons.social
    Oct 23, 2026, 4:49 PM

    Also remember: it is your library too. Nothing is stopping you from just sitting at a table with a little sign offering help!

    For events in general, don't be discouraged if you don't get a ton of uptake at first. Some of my best workshops were to only 2 people - but those 2 people got a lot out of it! You could ask around to see if anyone you know needs help, and ask them to drop by during that time.

    Finally, public libraries aren't the only option here. You can look at community centers, cultural centers, setting up a booth at a local maker or other community fair. It's so wonderful that people want to help like this! ❤️ (4/4)

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  • Lisa 🦔 [Bats in my Belfry]mycrowgirl@flipping.rocks
    Oct 23, 2026, 5:24 PM

    @nirak seconding the “other places” tip.

    I used to work in libraries and the tech help stuff was one of my responsibilities. I quickly realised that there was a huge elder demographic that needed the same help but unable to physically get to the library.

    I was never able to get the library to agree to me doing an outreach type thing there, but at the time I lived close to a low income senior living center and would volunteer on my own every other week for a few hours to do tech help.

    👉This can be extremely useful in the weeks after the December holidays when well-meaning younger family members gift them gadgets.

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  • Lisa 🦔 [Bats in my Belfry]mycrowgirl@flipping.rocks
    Oct 23, 2026, 5:38 PM

    @nirak this was not the case for me since I was actively employed by the county who also operated the senior centres, but:

    Worth noting that if you want to do this in most senior living/day centres, etc you would need to be willing to go through at least a level 1 background check, possibly a level 2 check if it’s a scenario where they would not have a staff member in the room with you.

    It might seem like a lot, but they’re protecting some of our most vulnerable community members and have a duty of care when vetting volunteers. 💕

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  • Megan Lynch (she/her)ml@ecoevo.social
    Oct 23, 2026, 5:50 PM

    @nirak Good list of tips!

    May I add that when you're planning something, it helps to do your accessibility planning at that beginning stage rather than trying to make things accessible after the fact.

    Especially when its at a public place like a public library, it should be accessible to all the public. And the communication about it should be accessible too. Hopefully, that is something the library knows and can help with, but if not, reach out to the local Center for Independent Living, etc.

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  • Ruth [☕️ 👩🏻‍💻📚✍🏻🧵🪡🍵]platypus@glammr.us
    Oct 23, 2026, 4:57 PM

    @nirak @jessamyn yes, back in Indiana when he was between jobs, M volunteered in a “teach seniors Windows 10” class. Some had been in factory jobs without any computing. Others knew things like Windows 98 and even XP but the jump with 10 was too much for them without help/without being in a workplace.

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  • robtherunt🌱💚robtherunt@cupoftea.social
    Oct 23, 2026, 5:12 PM

    @nirak @jessamyn
    I volunteer in my local library in #Norfolk #UK once a week between 10am - 4pm as a “digital champion” (their title not mine). Basically help people with their computer/ tech/ phone woes.

    Mostly, it’s helping somebody print a document, but also other more eclectic stuff, such as online family history stuff, writing a letter to a vendor for mis-sold goods, online applications (eg. Passport), “I’ve run out of storage for my phone” etc, etc…

    You never know what you’re going to get, but it’s very rewarding.

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  • Karin Dalzielnirak@hcommons.social
    Oct 23, 2026, 5:14 PM

    @robtherunt I think a lot of people think "I don't have the skills to help other people" but many times it's just having someone there to work through the issues ♥️

    Thank you for doing that!

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  • robtherunt🌱💚robtherunt@cupoftea.social
    Oct 23, 2026, 5:24 PM

    @nirak
    Thank you.

    I did this in my former town, before I moved house. I was really pleased when I discovered the library in my new town also had a similar scheme, so was more than happy to offer my services.

    I used to work in IT before I got made redundant/ retired so I know a bit of stuff, but not everything. I’m happy to have a go, basically.

    Sometimes, I have no idea what people are actually talking about, as they can’t quite verbalise what the problem is, but a bit of non-technical digging usually reveals the actual issue.

    It’s mostly older people, tbh.

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  • Karin Dalzielnirak@hcommons.social
    Oct 23, 2026, 5:30 PM

    @robtherunt I often wonder if older people have more issues, or if younger people just don't avail themselves of these kinds of resources, preferring to ask their peers. I do run into younger folks missing basic info a lot

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  • robtherunt🌱💚robtherunt@cupoftea.social
    Oct 23, 2026, 7:08 PM

    @nirak
    I think younger people (I’m talking senior school to mid 20s) tend to rely on each other, but really depends on the issue. That generation - and the one following - don’t have a huge amount of computer knowledge as they live more on their phones or tablets. But I don’t think that’s a hard and fast rule.

    I think so much of life is done online these days that people just don’t have the necessary skills to navigate it all, even those who are hugely capable in the real world.

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  • Helgabluetea@ioc.exchange
    Oct 24, 2026, 12:08 AM

    @nirak @robtherunt I don't trust myself to not make a mistake and lose someone's data. I'm so appreciative of folk who have the skills and confidence to volunteer in this capacity, so needed.

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  • robtherunt🌱💚robtherunt@cupoftea.social
    Oct 24, 2026, 7:54 AM

    @bluetea @nirak
    I always, always say what I’m doing and check that they are onboard with things and what the consequences are if I do these things. It’s always their decision, not mine.

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  • markn🚲markn
    Oct 23, 2026, 6:20 PM

    @robtherunt @nirak @jessamyn kudos to you for doing that. I'm in Norfolk UK too. Were the volunteering positions officially advertised, or did you just ask at your library? I'd like to help out if I can.

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  • robtherunt🌱💚robtherunt@cupoftea.social
    Oct 23, 2026, 6:59 PM

    @markn @nirak @jessamyn
    I just rocked up to the library and asked.

    They did kinda sit me down and chat about what I wanted to do and what they already did with the “digital champions” roles around the county, but they were happy to take me on.

    I think there’s a dearth of such volunteers around the county, so maybe approach your local branch and ask?

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  • Russellzimzat@mastodon.social
    Oct 23, 2026, 7:28 PM

    @nirak @jessamyn Thank you for putting together a useful guide on getting started.

    This is the sort of thing we need more people to do for other types of activities, like any time someone says "[why don't people] just do [thing]", because it's never quite as simple as "just join a union" (e.g. Which union? Where? How? What if it doesn't exist? How to make a union of more than one? How to broach unionization status with current and future employers?).

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  • Cassey Lottmancassey@ottawa.place
    Oct 24, 2026, 2:54 AM

    @nirak @jessamyn I’ve also offered 1-1 tech support on a church fundraising auction as well that went really well - this one had a mix of “time and talent” type offerings already as well as items to bid on. My partner offered knife sharpening for an auction item and mine was one hour of tech support, two slots offered. I got to get to know someone from the church I didn’t already know well, and troubleshoot some issues that had been annoying her! And the church got a donation too of course. 10/10 would do again.

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  • Cassey Lottmancassey@ottawa.place
    Oct 24, 2026, 2:58 AM

    @nirak ooh another one on the slightly more techy side - an artist/zinester I know from shared online spaces has been wanting to get set up with their own website outside big tech control, but their budget is $0 and they can do html and css, but the domain parts get complicated fast. I offered to do “virtual website setup office hours” and in a chat with just us basically but in the main space we’re already part of, over a week or so of back and forth they were able to figure it out!

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  • Jessamynjessamyn@glammr.us
    Oct 24, 2026, 3:28 AM

    @cassey @nirak Yes! I did this once for a local community auction too. The people who won never collected but it is a great idea. "I'll come to your house and fix your wireless printer... HOW MUCH WOULD YOU PAY?"

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